In Situ Metal Matrix Composite Surfacing by Laser Surface Alloying

Laser as a source of focused energy may be applied for the modification of microstructure and/or composition of the near surface region of a component. The technique may be applied for the development of a ceramic/intermetallics/interstitial compound dispersed metal matrix composite layer on the surface of metallic substrate by melting the substrate with a high power laser and simultaneous addition of alloy powders for the development of metal matrix composite layer by in-situ reactions. In the present contribution, development of metal-dispersed and intermetallic-dispersed matrix composite layer on the surface of metallic matrix has been discussed with a suitable example of its application.