Surface Modification of Aluminum Alloy by Shot Lining and Laser Irradiation

Abstract

The surface modification of aluminum alloy by shot lining and laser irradiation was investigated to form a hard Fe-Al intermetallic compound having excellent corrosion resistance. A centrifugal-type peening machine with an electrical heater was employed. The shot medium was high-carbon cast steel. The substrate was a commercial aluminum alloy. The sheet was commercially available pure aluminum, and the powder was an electrolytic iron. The shot lining process was carried out at 573 K in air using a peening machine. The top surface of the lined workpiece was melted by laser beam irradiation. The intermetallic Fe-Al layer was formed on the irradiated surface. The lined substrates exhibited a harder layer of aluminum-rich intermetallic in the irradiated part. The present method could be used for the formation of functional films on aluminum alloy.