Development of in-situ composite surface on mild steel by laser surface alloying with silicon and its remelting

In the present study, an attempt has been made to develop in-situ iron silicide dispersed surface on mild steel substrate by laser surface alloying with silicon using a high-power continuous wave CO2 laser. The effect of laser surface remelting of the alloyed surface using argon and nitrogen (with and without graphite coating) as shrouding environment has also been studied. The microstructure of laser surface alloyed mild steel with silicon consists of uniformly dispersed iron silicide in grain refined α-iron matrix with an improved microhardness to 575 VHN as compared to 150 VHN of as-received mild steel substrate. Surface remelting in Ar atmosphere coarsened the microstructure and reduced the area fraction of silicide and hence, reduction in the microhardness to 450 VHN. Surface remelting in nitrogen increased the microhardness to 740 VHN due to the formation of iron nitrides in addition to the presence of silicides. Graphite coating prior to remelting improved the microhardness to 800 VHN due to the presence of martensites along with nitrides and silicides. A maximum enhancement in wear resistance was achieved when remelting was done in nitrogen environment with carbon deposition. The mechanism of wear was found to be predominantly abrasive in nature as compared to adhesive and oxidative in as-received mild steel.