Carbon dioxide laser and diode laser dispersing of TiC-powder into aluminium substrates

Summary form only given. TiC-powder particles are embedded into AlSi7 alloys by applying the laser dispersing technique. The resulting metal-matrix-composite layers combine low density and high wear resistance. A 3 kW CO/sub 2/-laser was used for the experiments together with a segmented mirror or with parabolic mirror. A 1 kW diode laser was used for further investigations and compared to the CO/sub 2/ laser. Depending on the optical system. the diode laser produces a fine shaped beam with a track width up to 5 mm. Although the diode laser delivers only 1 kW beam power it can be used for melting of the aluminum alloy. By carefully optimising all relevant parameters. it should be possible to replace the CO/sub 2/ laser with the diode laser system and decrease fixed expenses for laser dispersing since no additional laser gases are needed.