LAUSR

The authors report the fabrication of a particulate-reinforced composite layer on compacted graphite cast iron by means of selective laser alloying, reinforced with ZrO2 ceramic particulates. The scanning strategy was inspired by the alternate arrangement of aragonite and organic layers on the shell surface. The particulates were uniformly embedded in the matrix. Moreover, the original microstructure was significantly modified. The microhardness, tensile strength, and wear resistances, in particular, were notably improved, due to the formation of the surface composite layer. With the increasing content of the ceramic particulates, the mechanical properties and wear resistance are further enhanced. In particular, the wear mass loss is decreased by ∼90%. This is because: (1) the overall microhardness is increased; (2) the microstructure is significantly refined; (3) the coarse graphite disappears after laser treatment, and (4) above all, a laser-fabricated metallic matrix composite layer on the surface of t...