An overview of laser surface engineering activities in India

摘要

Surface engineering involves tailoring the surface composition and/or microstructure of the near surface region of a component without affecting the bulk. Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER) with precise temporal and spatial distribution and capable of delivering high quantum of energy/power to induce a very high heating/cooling rate, thermal gradient and resolidification velocity, is ideally suited for a host of surface engineering activities, popularly called laser surface engineering (LSE). LSE related activities in India are mostly confined to Government laboratories or research organisations and not widely exploited in the industry. The notable among these laboratories are Bhaba Atomic Research Center (BARC) in Mumbai, the Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT) in Indore, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam and the Centre for Laser Processing of Materials (CLPM) of the Advanced Research Centre (ARC) in Hyderabad. Besides these centres, the Metallurgical or Mechanical Engineering Departments at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur have small laser processing laboratories that carry out both surface engineering and manufacturing activities. The only notable user among industry is the diamond cutting/ cleaving industry in and around the western states of Gujarat and Maharastra. Even Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) in Tiruchirapally and Tata Motors in Pune have marginal use of lasers for joining and machining activities.