Hardness and free volume distributions of Zr-based alloys spot treated by laser beam

A fixed laser beam heat source was used to re-melt Zr-based crystalline and amorphous alloys. Four hardness regions are found in the amorphous sample along the radial direction of the spot treated by laser beam, whereas two hardness regions are found in the crystalline sample. Results indicate that the hardness of the crystalline phase is lower than that of the amorphous phase. The hardness of the amorphous phase increases with reducing free volume and nanoholes.