A new method has been developed in which Zn/Ni double coated films were electroplated onto steel substrates, and then irradiated using a high-power YAG laser to effect surface modification for alloying the Zn/Ni films. The effects of the laser irradiation on the corrosion resistance of the films was investigated by salt spray tests. It was found that the corrosion resistance of the laser-alloyed films was eight times that of zinc electroplated films, but showed less corrosion resistance than the Zn-13wt%Ni electroplated alloy film. These results are attributed to residual zinc in the alloyed films as well as to the formation of zinc oxide by effects of laser heating.
