Abstract
Zirconium alloys were laser surface melted (LSM) using a continuous wave CO2 laser at energy densities of 4,7 and 10 kJ cm−2. LSM samples examined using SEM and optical microscopy exhibited resolidified regions with several different microstructures, including ultrafine martensite. Corrosion performance was obtained by steam autoclave tests and immersion tests in 10% FeCl3 at room temperature. Coarser microstructures performed better than fine microstructures in autoclave tests, while fine microstructures performed better than coarse microstructures in 10% FeCl3 immersion tests. Accelerated corrosion in the autoclave and immersion tests was observed to occur near the laser beam overlap region. The surface chemistry was examined for alloy segregation using secondary iron mass spectroscopy. Tin and iron alloy elements segregated near the periphery of each melt pool. Segregated regions containing increased iron concentrations associated with each laser pass were responsible for accelerated corrosion.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
M. G. Fontana, in “Advances in Corrosion Science and Technology”, Vol. 6, edited by M. G. Fontana and R. W. Staehle (Plenum, New York, 1976) pp. 227–45.
H. G. Rickover, L. D. Gieger, andB. Lustman, NR: D; 1975, USERDA, March 1975, p. 1081.
J. N. Wanklyn andP. J. Jones,J. Nucl. Mater. 6 (1962) 291.
V. Quach andD. O. Northwood, “Optimizing Materials for Nuclear Application” (1984) pp. 51–62.
A. B. Johnson Jr, ASTM STP 458 (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1969) pp. 271–85.
S. Kass, ASTM STP 368 (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1964) pp. 3–27.
J. N., Wanklyn, ASTM STP 368 (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1964) pp. 58–75.
B. Cox, in “Advances in Corrosion Science and Technology”, Vol. 5, edited by M. G. Fontana and R. W. Staehle (Plenum, New York, 1976) pp. 251–321.
M. A. Maguire andT. L. Yau, NACE Conference, Paper No. 265 (1986) pp. 1–20.
J. H. Schemel, ASTM STP 639 (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1977) pp. 1–93.
T. L. Yau andM. A. Maguire,Corrosion 40 (1984) 289.
Idem, ibid. 41 (1985) 397.
R. W. Ohse,Pure Appl. Chem.,60 (1988) 309.
Y. Arata, “Plasma, Electron and Laser Beam Technology,” (ASM, Metals Park, OH, 1986).
C. W. Draper, F. J. denBroeder,D, C. Jacobson, E. N. Kaufmann, M. L. McDonald andJ. M. Vandenberg, “Laser and Electron-Beam Interactions with Solids” (Elsevier Science, 1982) pp. 419–424.
E. McCafferty andP. G. Moore, “Laser Surface Treatment of Metals”, edited by C. W. Draper and P. Mazzoldi (Martinus Nijhoff, Boston, 1986) pp. 263–95.
J. W. Davis, A. A. Haasz andP. C. Stangeby,J. Nucl. Mater. 138 (1986) 227.
W. M. Steen, “International Conference on Advances in Surface Coating Technology” (The Welding Institute, Avington, Cambridge, 1978) pp. 175–87.
C. R. Clayton, “Environmental Degradation of Ion and Laser Beam Treated Surfaces”, edited by G. S. Wart and K. S. Grabowski (TMS, Philadelphia, 1989) pp. 33–55.
J. M. Poate,ibid.“ pp. 23–30.
W. Reitz andJ. Rawers,J. Mater. Sci. Lett. 9 (1990) 1365.
C. Evans Jr andR. Blattner,Newsletter, Charles Evans and Assoc. 5 (2) (1990) pp. 10–11.
M. J. Aziz,J. Appl. Phys. 53 (1982) 1158.
A. Kar andJ. Mazumder,ibid. 61 (1987) 2645.
J. Mazumder andW. M. Steen, in “Laser '77”, Opto-Electronics Conference, edited by W. Weidelich (1977) pp. 304–15.
Idem, Metal Construct. 12 (1980) 423.
T. Chande andJ. Mazumder,Met. Trans. 14B (1983) 181.
P. Baeri, S. U. Compisano, M. G. Grimaldi andE. Rimini, in “Laser and Electron Beam Processing of Materials”, MRS Symposium (1979) pp. 130–6.
C. W. Draper,ibid. pp. 721–7.
A. Richard, “Fr. Ann. Chem. 13 (1988) 284.
E. Hillner, ASTM STP 633, (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1977) pp. 211–35.
T. L. Yau, “Corrosion and Corrosion Protection Handbook”, edited by P. A. Schweitzer (Marcel Dekker, New York, 1988) pp. 231–78.
R. Kuwae, K. Sato, J. Kawashima andE. Higashinakagawa,N. Nucl. Sci. Tech. 23 (1986) 661.
N. Sato,Corrosion 45 (1989) 354.
D. M. Follstaedt, in “Laser and Electron-Beam Interactions with Solids”, MRS Symposium (1981) pp. 377–87.
M. J. Chappel andJ. S. Leach, “Passivity of Metals” (Electrochemical Society, Houston, Texas, 1978) pp. 1003–34.
S. Smith,Charles Evans and Assoc. Report 13 May (1990) 1.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reitz, W., Rawers, J. Effect of laser surface melted zirconium alloys on microstructure and corrosion resistance. J Mater Sci 27, 2437–2443 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01105055
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01105055