Laser Surface Engineering and Additive Manufacturing

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Laser Coatings".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2024 | Viewed by 1741

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland, UK
Interests: laser surface engineering; laser additive manufacturing; laser welding/joining for high-value manufacturing applications
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Laser surface engineering (LSE) and laser additive manufacturing (LAM) are transforming the landscape of modern manufacturing. LSE focuses on enhancing and tailoring the surface properties of diverse materials, ranging from metals to polymers and ceramics. Recent advances in ultrafast laser technology have enhanced LSE’s ability to precisely alter surface attributes without introducing undue surface defects. Simultaneously, LAM has emerged as a transformative method in manufacturing, allowing for the layer-by-layer fabrication of bespoke objects from digital 3D models. What sets LAM apart is its adaptability, emphasis on customisation, and ability to work with a variety of materials. This versatility makes it especially effective for producing high-quality, specific components. In sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare, both LSE and LAM prove invaluable, meeting the intersecting demands for tailor-made solutions and durability.

In this Special Issue, our goal is to spotlight the latest advances, address challenges, and present innovative solutions within the LSE and LAM domains. We invite researchers to submit articles that delve into the intricate facets of these technologies, highlighting their current achievements and anticipated future developments.

Highlighted areas of interest for this Special Issue include the following:

Laser Surface Engineering (LSE):

  • Exploration and development of advanced coatings and materials using LSE;
  • Biomedical applications of LSE, particularly in improving antibacterial properties and biocompatibility of surfaces;
  • Techniques using LSE to combat common material challenges like corrosion, oxidation, and wear;
  • Strategies for restoring and repairing high-value engineered components using LSE.

Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM):

  • Deep dives into the diverse materials suitable for LAM, such as metals, polymers, and ceramics;
  • Optimising the LAM process for enhanced precision, efficiency, and end-product quality;
  • Integrating traditional manufacturing techniques with the capabilities of LAM;
  • Eco-friendly and efficient approaches in LAM to minimise waste and maximise output.

If you are at the forefront of research in LSE, LAM, or any intersecting domains, this is an ideal platform for your insights. Through this Special Issue, we aim to showcase the important roles of LSE and LAM in shaping the trajectory of advanced manufacturing.

Dr. Chi Wai Chan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • laser surface engineering
  • laser additive manufacturing
  • ultrafast laser technology
  • advanced coatings and materials
  • eco-efficiency in manufacturing

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 8147 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Hardness and Wear Resistance of MgAl2O4/Fe-Based Laser Cladding Coatings by the Addition of CeO2
by Liangxun Li, Shaobai Sang, Tianbin Zhu, Yawei Li and Heng Wang
Coatings 2024, 14(5), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14050550 - 28 Apr 2024
Viewed by 364
Abstract
Laser cladding has unique advantages in improving the wear resistance of materials or workpiece surfaces. CeO2 could play a role in promoting the flow of the molten pool and grain refinement during the laser cladding process, which is likely to further improve [...] Read more.
Laser cladding has unique advantages in improving the wear resistance of materials or workpiece surfaces. CeO2 could play a role in promoting the flow of the molten pool and grain refinement during the laser cladding process, which is likely to further improve the wear resistance of the coating. In this work, CeO2 was introduced into the MgAl2O4/Fe-based laser cladding coating on the surface of GCr15 steel. The effects of the CeO2 content on the phase composition, microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance of the coatings were also systematically investigated. The results showed that the addition of CeO2 enhanced the continuity of the coating and reduced the size of the MgAl2O4 particles, which was associated with the addition of CeO2’s intensification of the melt pool flow. The metal grain size reduced and then increased as the CeO2 content increased, whereas the hardness and wear resistance of the MgAl2O4/Fe-based coatings increased and then decreased. Compared with the MgAl2O4/Fe-based coating without CeO2, the hardness of the MgAl2O4/Fe-based coating with 1.0 wt% CeO2 increased by 10% and the wear rate decreased by 40%, which was attributed to the metal grain refinement and particle dispersion strengthening. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Surface Engineering and Additive Manufacturing)
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22 pages, 6463 KiB  
Article
Effect of Zinc Content on Powder Characteristics, Porosity, Microstructure, and Corrosion Behavior of SLM-Printed Mg-xZn-0.2Mn Alloys for Biomedical Applications
by Weijie Xie, Chen-Liang Wu, Hau-Chung Man and Chi-Wai Chan
Coatings 2023, 13(11), 1876; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13111876 - 31 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1026
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of Zinc (Zn) content, specifically in the range of 1 wt.% to 7 wt.%, on the powder characteristics, porosity, microstructure, and corrosion behavior of Mg-xZn-0.2Mn alloys produced using selective laser melting (SLM). To evaluate the porosity of the [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of Zinc (Zn) content, specifically in the range of 1 wt.% to 7 wt.%, on the powder characteristics, porosity, microstructure, and corrosion behavior of Mg-xZn-0.2Mn alloys produced using selective laser melting (SLM). To evaluate the porosity of the printed parts and various powder attributes, such as size, circularity, void spaces between powders, and inherent imperfections, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM) were employed. The alloy microstructure, composition, and phase were examined using energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The corrosion resistance and degradation behavior were assessed through electrochemical corrosion tests and immersion tests in Hanks’ solution at 37.5 °C, respectively. Finally, OM and SEM-EDX were used to characterize the corrosion products. The findings of this study indicated that the powder size increased with Zn content, maintaining a 0.8 circularity. Powder defects were minimal, with occasional satellite particles. For the SLM-printed samples, it was evident that porosity characteristics could be influenced by Zn content. As Zn content increased, the pore fraction rose from 1.0% to 5.3%, and the pore size grew from 2.2 μm to 3.0 μm. All printed samples consisted of an α-Mg matrix. Additionally, a higher Zn content resulted in more distinct grain boundaries. Corrosion resistance decreased with Zn, leading to more pronounced localized corrosion after immersion in Hanks’ solution. Ca-P was found as white corrosion products on all samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Surface Engineering and Additive Manufacturing)
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