Strengthening of the Surface Properties of Al-4.5%Cu/BLA Composites by Laser Applications

Abstract

Aluminium composites were used widely due to merits like high strength to weight ratio, electrical and thermal conductivity. In this paper, the influence of the Laser Surface Melting on exterior surface of Al-4.5% Cu alloy metal matrix composite reinforced with 2 and 4 wt.% of Bamboo Leaf Ash particles produced by stir casting. The composite’s surface was melted using a laser machine. The microstructure and the hardness of as-cast and laser melted surface of composites were studied. The results of the composites have been compared before and after laser treatment. The grain size on surface of composites was reduced after laser treatment and also observed that porosity was minimized. The hardness of surface composites was enhanced desirably after laser treatment. Thus, re-melting the surface by laser can be suitably useful to strengthen the surface properties of the Aluminium composites.