HPDL Remelting of Anodised Al-Si-Cu Cast Alloys Surfaces

The results of the investigations of the laser remelting of the AlSi9Cu4 cast aluminium alloy with the anodised and non-anodised surface layer and hardness changes have been presented in this paper. The surface layer of the tested aluminium samples was remelted with the laser of a continuous work. The power density was from 8,17•103 W/cm2 to 1,63•104 W/cm2. The metallographic tests were conducted in form of light microscope investigations of the received surface layer. The main goal of the investigation was to find the relation between the laser beam power and its power density falling on a material, evaluating the shape and geometry of the remelted layers and their hardness. As the substrate material two types of surfaces of the casted AlSi9Cu4 alloy were applied – the non–treated as cast surface as well the anodized surface. As a device for this type of surface laser treatment the High Power Diode Laser was applied with a maximum power of 2.2 kW and the dimensions of the laser beam focus of 1.8 x 6.8 mm. By mind of such treatment it is also possible to increase hardness as well eliminate porosity and develop metallurgical bonding at the coating-substrate interface. Suitable operating conditions for HPDL laser treatment were finally determined, ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 kW. Under such conditions, taking into account the absorption value, the effects of laser remelting on the surface shape and roughness were studied. The results show that surface roughness is reduced with increasing laser power by the remelting process only for the non-anodised samples, and high porosity can be found in the with high power remelted areas. The laser influence increases with the heat input of the laser processing as well with the anodisation of the surface, because of the absorption enhancement ensured through the obtained alumina layer.