Study of nanometer Al2O3 composite electroless deposit strengthened by different laser power

Featured by cheap equipment, easy operation, nice controllability and low consumption, compound electroless deposit becomes an effective method to avoid failures such as high-temperature corrosion, fatigue and abrasion. Combined with the merits of nanometer material and laser treatment technology, the Ni–P nanometer Al2O3 electroless deposit after laser strengthening can get finer grains with high performances. This paper researched the technique of laser strengthening on 3Cr13 stainless steel after Ni–P–nano-Al2O3 electroless plating. The experiments with low laser power and high laser power were performed. The crystallinity, phases and element distribution of coating were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy spectrometer (EDS). The microhardness and wear resistance of coating were measured as well. The results showed that composite coating heated by low laser power leads to transformation from non-crystal to crystal with high hardness. When heated by high laser power, the electroless deposit layer melted, and most of amorphous transformed to crystal. Combined with high laser power and high scanning velocity, the electroless deposit with finer grains and excellent properties was obtained. The strengthening mechanism was analyzed, and the properties including hardening and wear resistance were investigated as well.