Abstract: Methods of enhancing surface hardness of a quench-sensitive age-hardening material, such as an aluminum alloy, with cryogenic quenching, aluminum alloys produced by the methods, and a laser cladding system with cryogenic quenching capability. Laser cladding or other heat treatment of a quench-sensitive age-hardening material, such as an aluminum alloy, is combined with in-situ cryogenic quenching of the heated area with a spray of cryogenic fluid as the material cools down from the cladding or other heat treatment. The laser cladding system has both a laser emitter to heat a workpiece and a cryogenic nozzle to deliver a cryogenic fluid spray onto the workpiece. The resulting material may have a surface hardness higher than can be achieved without the quenching spray, often approaching or exceeding a T6 temper, without using a solution heat treatment.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing surface hardness of a quench-sensitive age-hardening material, such as an aluminum alloy, with cryogenic quenching, aluminum alloys produced by the methods, and a laser cladding system with cryogenic quenching capability. Laser cladding or other heat treatment of a quench-sensitive age-hardening material, such as an aluminum alloy, is combined with in-situ cryogenic quenching of the heated area with a spray of cryogenic fluid as the material cools down from the cladding or other heat treatment. The laser cladding system has both a laser emitter to heat a workpiece and a cryogenic nozzle to deliver a cryogenic fluid spray onto the workpiece. The resulting material may have a surface hardness higher than can be achieved without the quenching spray, often approaching or exceeding a T6 temper, without using a solution heat treatment.