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Structural Relaxation and Nanocrystallization-Induced Laser Surface Hardening of Fe-Based Bulk Amorphous Alloys

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Abstract

Amorphous metallic alloys or bulk metallic glasses are emerging as promising materials for a range of structural, microelectromechanical systems, and biomedical applications. With the recent developments in spark plasma sintering and superplastic forming of the amorphous alloys, it is likely that the amorphous alloys will find a place in new applications. In this article, surface hardening of spark plasma sintered Fe48Cr15Mo14Y2C15B6 bulk amorphous alloys using a continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser is reported. Depending on the processing parameters, the laser surface irradiation causes structural relaxation (enhanced medium-range ordering and/or annihilation of excess free volume) and nanocrystallization of hard carbides (M23C6 and M7C3), resulting in surface hardening. Detailed investigations on the thermal effects, microstructural modifications, and hardness improvements due to laser surface irradiation with laser fluence in the range of 1.77–2.36 J/mm2 are presented. An increase in hardness in the range of 1360–1560 HV for laser surface-treated alloys compared to 1200 HV for as-sintered alloys over a hardening depth of about 50–80 µm is observed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the National Science Foundation (CMMI 0969255 and CMMI 0969249).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    Ashish K. Singh, S. Habib Alavi & Sandip P. Harimkar

  2. Laboratory for Laser Materials Processing and Fabrication, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76202, USA

    Sameer R. Paital & Narendra B. Dahotre

Authors
  1. Ashish K. Singh
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  2. S. Habib Alavi
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  3. Sameer R. Paital
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  4. Narendra B. Dahotre
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  5. Sandip P. Harimkar
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Correspondence to Sandip P. Harimkar.

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Singh, A.K., Alavi, S.H., Paital, S.R. et al. Structural Relaxation and Nanocrystallization-Induced Laser Surface Hardening of Fe-Based Bulk Amorphous Alloys. JOM 66, 1080–1087 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-014-0974-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-014-0974-3

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