High power diode laser surface treatment of mullite crucible material

Alumina, as well as alumina/silica mixtures are well characterised materials used in a multitude of applications from insulators, crucibles to vacuum system windows. In this paper we present the application of a high power diode laser (HPDL) to surface treat the material from its sintered form into an amorphous, glass type glaze. The process has been monitored using a high speed motion analysis system. The laser treated glaze material is robust and exhibits good adherence to the bulk ceramic. The samples are analysed via XRD, EDX and optical microscopy. This technique could have potential applications in vacuum sealing or surface treatment of ceramic workpieces. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved