Challenges in laser surface engineering of lightweight metals

摘要

Lightweight materials, most importantly AI-, Mg-, and Ti-based alloys, have long been considered for a range of applications in automotive, aerospace, defense, structural, heavy machinery, and medical industries due to their low densities and high specific strengths. With the current research and technological efforts directed towards energy security and reduction of greenhouse emissions, advanced materials, including lightweight materials, are attracting increasing attention. There are growing trends to expand the use of light alloys in new applications. While the light alloys exhibit acceptable bulk properties for most of the applications, significant improvements in surface properties are required to enhance the life of the components in traditional applications and to envisage the applications of these materials in newer areas. For example, Mg alloys exhibit extremely poor corrosion resistance in almost all corrosive media; and, Ti alloys show poor wear resistance, particularly in non-aerospace tribological conditions.