A YAG laser was used to surface-harden electroless Ni-P alloy plating on an aluminum alloy substrate. The relationship between laser irradiation and tribological properties was evaluated by a dry friction and wear test. Laser irradiation at 500W and beam scanning of 50mm/s produced harder surface film without heat damage to the aluminum alloy substrate by rapid heating and cooling of the laser. The laser-hardened film had the highest wear resistance in the dry friction and wear test.
