Laser surface treatment of cast magnesium alloys

Purpose: The goal of this work was to investigate influence of laser treatment on structure and properties MCMgAl3Zn1, MCMgAl6Zn1, MCMgAl9Zn1 and MCMgAl12Zn1 cast magnesium alloys. Design/methodology/approach: Tests were made on the experimental MCMgAl3Zn1 MCMgAl6Zn1 MCMgAl9Zn1 and MCMgAl12Zn1 casting magnesium alloys. Laser treatment was made using the Rofin DL020 HPDL high power diode laser in the argon shield gas cover with the technique of the continuous powder supply to the remelted pool area. Findings: Investigations of the surface layers carried out confirm that laser treatment of the surface layer of the Mg-Al-Zn casting magnesium alloys is feasible using the HPDL high power diode laser ensuring better properties compared to alloys properties after the regular heat treatment after employing the relevant process parameters. Occurrences were found based on the metallographic examinations of the remelted zone (RZ) and the heat affected zone (HAZ) in alloyed surface layer of the investigated casting magnesium alloy. Research limitations/implications: This investigation presents different laser power and in this research was used two powders, namely tungsten-, and titanium carbide. Practical implications: Reinforcing the surface of cast magnesium alloys by adding TiC and WC particles is such a possible way to achieve the possibilities of the laser melt injection process, which is a potential technique to produce a Metal-Matrix Composite (MMC) layer in the top layer of a metal workpiece. Originality/value: The originality of this work is applying of High Power Diode Laser for alloying of magnesium alloy using hard particles like tungstenand titanium carbide.