Stress and texture evolution of Ni/Al multi-film by laser interference irradiation

Ni/Al multi-layered thin film systems are important to protect the mechanical and chemical impact on the bulk component. The mechanical properties of these compounds can be further improved by combining different stress and texture situations. Such optimized surface composites have been achieved by laser interference irradiation. In this study, the thin film system Ni/Al was produced by physical vapor deposition and irradiated by the interference pattern of two coherent laser beams. A thermal simulation of the irradiation with a focus on the temperature and phase transition evolution was investigated. The stress and texture distribution before and after interference irradiation were thoroughly investigated by high resolution X-ray diffraction. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.