Laser-induced deposition of alumina ceramic coating on stainless steel from dry thin films for surface modification

A new technique of depositing a hard ceramic coating onto stainless steel substrate by irradiating sol–gel dry alumina films using laser technology has been successfully achieved. The phase composition, crystalline structure and surface morphology of laser-deposited alumina coatings on the substrate surface were characterised by ATR-FTIR, XRD, SEM and EDS, whilst the mechanical properties of the alumina-coated surface were measured using nano-indentation. The results show that laser irradiation of dry alumina films led to the deposition of crystalline alumina coating in α-Al2O3 form on substrate surface. Nano-indentation measurements reveal that the mechanical properties of the alumina-coated surface are significantly improved and reach the same level as pure α-alumina ceramic.