Author(s)

A.B. Kloosterman & J.Th.M De Hosson

Abstract

This paper concentrates on a microstructural characterization of titanium that is treated by a high power €0% laser in a nitrogen atmosphere. Different microstructures are observed in the laser tracks depending on the actual laser parameters applied that may affect the performance in actual use. If the laser power is high enough a flat thin TiN layer of a few micrometers is created on top of the melt pool. Below this thin layer TiN dendrites are observed which are oriented almost perpendicular to the top layer. The TiN dendrites are surrounded by nitrogen rich Ti. It is anticipated that the inferior wear properties of titanium can be substantially improved by surface modification. 1 Introduction Titanium and titanium alloys possess several excellent properties like a good cor

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