Laser Surface Alloying of Aluminum (AA1200) with Ni and SiC Powders

An Nd:YAG laser was used for surface alloying of aluminum AA1200. The alloying powder was a mixture of Ni and SiC in different ratios. A study of the microstructures obtained after alloying was conducted using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for phase identification. Analysis of the alloyed layer revealed the presence of Al4C3, AlNi3, and α-Al-Si eutectic phases. The SiC particles dissociated into Si and C. The dissociated C reacted with Al to form Al4C3. The addition of Ni resulted in the formation of the Al3Ni phase. A hardness increase of approximately four times that of aluminum AA1200 was achieved in the alloyed layer.