Application of Laser in

Surface Engineering
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
NIT Jamshedpur

Presented By-
Shristi Singh (2018UGMM051)
Pallavi Kumari (2018UGMM052)
Kishan Kumar (2018UGMM053)
Neha Korada (2018UGMM054)
 Contents
1. Abstract
2. Definition of laser
3. Working of laser
4. Enhancements achieved through laser
5. Applications in engineering chemistry
6. Classification of laser surface treatment processes
• Laser surface heating
• Laser surface melting
• Laser surface shocking
7. Examples of Laser surfacing applications
 Abstract
The metallic materials such as steel, iron, titanium and nickel alloys
etc., are extensively used in the automobile, marine, biomedical,
aerospace, chemical industry and power generation sector.
However, the poor surface properties restricted their wide usage in
many applications. The laser based surface altering process is
appropriate to modify the metallic surfaces of such metals in terms
of their flexibility, simple operation and process economy. Laser
surface modification includes- surface hardening, melting, alloying,
cladding and texturing. 
 Laser
• ‘Laser’ is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation.

• A laser is a device which is built on the principle of quantum mechanics

which create a beam of light where all of the photons are in coherent
state- usually with same frequency and phase.
 Working of Laser
In simplest terms, a laser uses light to stimulate the electrons in a “gain
medium” into an excited state (called optical pumping). When the electrons
collapse into the lower-energy unexcited state, they emit photons, These
photons pass between two mirrors, so there are more and more photons
exciting the gain medium, “amplifying” the intensity of the beam. A narrow
hole in one of the mirror allows a small escape (i.e., the laser beam itself).
Demonstration of Ruby Laser
Enhancements achieved through
Laser
• Enhanced mechanical properties: Hardness
• Enhanced corrosion resistance
• Enhanced wear abrasion
• Enhanced machinability
• Enhanced thermal resistant properties
• Enhanced aesthetic look
• Enhanced electrical properties
Laser Surface Engineering
Applications
Laser Surface
Engineering

Altering Surface Altering Surface Adding a Surface

Metallurgy Chemistry Layer or Coating

Localized Laser Laser

Hardening Carburizing Alloying

Laser Laser
Annealing Laser Nitriding
Cladding

Grain Laser Carbo- Composite

Refinement Nitriding Coating
Classification of Laser Surface
Treatment Processes
Most commonly LST processes are classified as:
• Laser Surface Heating
• Laser Surface Melting
• Laser Surface Shocking
 Laser Surface Heating

• The interaction between a beam of coherent light,

with high power density, and the surface within a
specified atmosphere (vacuum, protective or
processing gases).
• The electromagnetic radiation of a laser beam is
absorbed within the top atomic layers for opaque
materials, such as metals
• The applied energy can be placed precisely on the
surface where it is needed.
• Laser Surface Heating finds its main application in
increasing hardness.
 Laser Surface Melting
• Whenever the temperature of any point of the track
exceeds the melting point of the substrate material,
we have to classify the treatment as laser melting.
• Laser surface melting is followed by rapid
solidification or quenching.
• The laser remelting process melts and recasts the
substrate of suitable materials, in order to produce
extremely fine grained structures with improved wear
and corrosion resistance.
• The treatment finds its application in Laser Glazing,
Laser Surface Alloying and Laser Cladding.
Laser Surface Shocking
• If a laser beam is applied for a very short interaction
time to a surface with a very high power densities, a
shock wave is generated.
• The shock waves, which may generated by explosion or
impact, develop significant plastic strain in a metal
surface.
• Laser Surface Shocking finds its application in work
hardening of materials.
 Examples of common Laser Surfacing
applications
• Transformation hardening- Produces local hardening with case-depth of
1µ to 2mm, usually in steel.

• Laser glazing- Production of ultra-fine microstructures or glasses.

• Surface refining- Rapid, shallow melting to vaporize inclusions and
impurities.
• Surface texturing- Produces local change in surface texture, e.g.
makes rougher, smoother or adds texture.
• Cladding- Produces local fusion and deposition of a second material
onto a surface.
• Surface homogenisation- Microstructural refinement by re-melting.
• Surface alloying- Selective local alloying to change surface
properties, e.g. addition of C to steel, W or N to Ti, and Si to Al.
 References
• http://emrtk.uni-miskolc.hu/projektek/adveng/home/kurzus/korsz_a
nyagtech/1_konzultacio_elemei/laser_surface_treat.htm
• https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-447
1-4976-7_27-1
• https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/faq-what-are
-the-possible-applications-of-laser-surface-engineering
• https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/laser-surface-modification-
of-materials
• https://www.slideshare.net/PremStunner/laser-applications-in-surfac
e-modifications