Studies on laser sintering of mechanically alloyed Al50Ti40Si10 composite

This study concerns laser sintering of mechanically alloyed Al50Ti40Si10 powders with partially amorphous and nanocrystalline microstructure. Following laser irradiation with selected parameters, microstructure and mechanical properties on top surface and cross-sectional plane were evaluated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, hardness measurement and fretting wear testing. Comparison between the thermal profile predicted by a simple analytical model and relevant microstrucrural parameters including useful depth of sintering; suggest that laser assisted sintering could be a useful strategy to consolidate mechanically alloyed powder with novel microstructure into solid components. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.