The role of SiC particulate and Al2O3 (Saffil) fibers in several alloys during the formation of in situ MMCs developed by laser processing

Laser surface treatments have recently been developed for the incorporation of ceramic particulate into metals or alloys, to produce a surface in situ MMC (metal matrix composite) layer. Based on the laser processes of alloy-ceramic systems carried out in the present work, some characteristics of the ceramic, such as the energy absorption, the thermal conductivity, the dissolution, and the relative density, are found to be very important in the process. The energy absorption and the thermal conductivity together can be used as one criterion for the selection of the ceramic to be used in the process described in this work, and the extent of dissolution and the relative density of ceramic should be given particular consideration in designing the processing conditions. The purpose of this work is to investigate the basic influences of SiC particulate and Al2O3 fibre on the formation of an MMC layer by laser processing, and it is believed that the discussions in the present work will be applicable for a wider use of this laser process.