Laser and electron beam alloying of Al with Fe and Sn

Low hardness and tendency to galling are among the main limitations of light alloy applications for friction joints fabrication. Laser and electron beam action on multilayer coatings predeposited on Al substrate were examined as a method to make an alloy containing Fe (as a hardening element) and Sn (as a solid lubricant). The original method was proposed for coating deposition. Al substrate is covered by thin films of pure metals (Fe and Sn). Pressing of this system allows access to a good mechanical contact between `coating–coatingʹ and `coating–substrateʹ. The results of treatment (modified zones structure, doping element distribution, microhardness) by continuous wave CO2 laser, pulse-periodic Nd:YAG laser and electron beam were compared and analysed. The possibility of reaching uniform distribution of Fe (concentration 24–26 wt%) and Sn (concentration 5–7 wt%) after CO2 laser and electron beam action is promising for potential industrial application of the proposed alloying method.