Absorption of Nd:YAG laser beam by metallic alloys

Laser processing depends on a set of variables of the laser source and of the material. The purpose of this work is to study the laser beam absorption by two metallic alloys, a grey cast iron and an aluminum-silicon alloy, under conditions of tranformation hardening using the calorimetry method and electrical resistivity measurements. Gray cast iron and Al-Si alloy have been used in automotive cylinders and pistons fabrication. The laser treatment results in a reduction in wear and better cooling rates, which consequently allows the design of smaller engines or improve their performances. (Aluminum alloy Al-12Si-1.5Cu.)