Method for improving the corrosion resistance of a zirconium-based material by laser beam

A method for improving the corrosion resistance of a zirconium-based material in an acid environment. A laser beam is scanned across the entire surface of the material to cause surface melting of the material. A rapid self-quenching is provided by the underlying substrate. Homogeneous material formed during solidification of the molten pool improves the corrosion resistance. Alloy enriched diffuse regions, i.e., tin and iron, develop parallel to each other and the periphery of the edge of the melt pool. In this manner, the laser surface melting removes the intermetalics by dissolving the precipitates, thus removing the source of localized corrosion. This greatly reduces the capability of the iron to act anodically to cause the zirconium to ionize, disassociate from the matrix, and migrate into the acid solution.