Effect of Laser Energy Density on Phase Evolution in Laser Surface Melted As-Cast Zr–Cu Alloy

The study investigates the role of different laser energy densities on the micro-structural evolution in the laser surface re-melted as-cast Zr-8 wt% Cu alloy. In the current study, different values of laser energy density was achieved by varying the scan speeds. The micro-structural investigation of the laser re-melted regions were carried out using Optical microscope, FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) in back-scattered mode and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope). The compositional evolution in the laser re-melted regions was carried out using EDS (Energy Dispersive Detector) attached to FESEM and TEM. The mechanical property of the re-melted regions was estimated using nano-indentation technique. The micro-structural examination showed that the laser re-melting of as-cast dendritic morphology leads to the development of