Laser post annealing of cold-sprayed Al/alumina-Ni composite coatings

Nano-sized alumina ceramics was sprayed by CS process together with Al and Ni alloy powders. After laser assisted post-annealing process, AlxNiy phases as well as the initial alumina particles were observed in the cold-sprayed Al-Ni coatings. Microstructures of as-sprayed and laser-annealed coatings were investigated by using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Effects of laser processing parameters, such as scanning speed, power and beam shape on microstructural evolution of the composite coatings were discussed and optimal regimes for laser assisted CS were determined. (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved,