Abstract: The method of laser surface treating pre-prepared zirconia surfaces provides for applying an organic resin in a thin, uniform film to a zirconia surface; maintaining the resin-coated zirconia surface in a controlled chamber at approximately 8 bar pressure at a temperature of approximately 175 degrees Centigrade for approximately 2 hours; heating the resin-coated zirconia surface to approximately 400 degrees Centigrade in an inert gas atmosphere, thereby converting the organic resin to carbon; and irradiating the carbon-coated zirconia surface with a laser beam while applying nitrogen under pressure, thereby forming a zirconium carbonitride coating.

Abstract: The method of laser treating Ti-6Al-4V to form surface compounds is a method of forming barrier layers on surfaces of Ti-6Al-4V workpieces. The Ti-6Al-4V workpiece is first cleaned and then a water-soluble phenolic resin is applied to at least one surface of the Ti-6Al-4V workpiece. The Ti-6Al-4V workpiece and the layer(s) of water soluble phenolic resin are then heated to carbonize the phenolic resin, thus forming a carbon film on the at least one surface. TiC particles are then inserted into the carbon film. Following the insertion of the TiC particles, a laser beam is scanned over the at least one surface of the Ti-6Al-4V workpiece. A stream of nitrogen gas is sprayed on the surface of the Ti-6Al-4V workpiece coaxially and simultaneously with the laser beam at a relatively high pressure, thus forming a barrier layer of TiCxN1-x, TiNx, Ti—C, and Ti2N compounds in the surface region.

Abstract: The method of nitriding nickel-chromium-based superalloys is a method of forming a nitride barrier layer on a surface of a nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece, such as an Inconel® 718 plate, using gas-assisted laser nitriding. The nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece is first cleaned, both with a chemical bath and then through an ultrasonic cleaning process. Following the cleaning of the workpiece, a laser beam is scanned over a surface of the nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece. A stream of nitrogen gas, which may be elemental nitrogen or nitrogen in the form of ammonia gas or the like, is sprayed on the surface of the nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece coaxially and simultaneously with the laser beam to form the nitride barrier layer.

Abstract: The method of laser surface treating pre-prepared zirconia surfaces provides for applying an organic resin in a thin, uniform film to a zirconia surface; maintaining the resin-coated zirconia surface in a controlled chamber at approximately 8 bar pressure at a temperature of approximately 175 degrees Centigrade for approximately 2 hours; heating the resin-coated zirconia surface to approximately 400 degrees Centigrade in an inert gas atmosphere, thereby converting the organic resin to carbon; and irradiating the carbon-coated zirconia surface with a laser beam while applying nitrogen under pressure, thereby forming a zirconium carbonitride coating.

Abstract: The method of laser treating Ti-6Al-4V to form surface compounds is a method of forming barrier layers on surfaces of Ti-6Al-4V workpieces. The Ti-6Al-4V workpiece is first cleaned and then a water-soluble phenolic resin is applied to at least one surface of the Ti-6Al-4V workpiece. The Ti-6Al-4V workpiece and the layer(s) of water soluble phenolic resin are then heated to carbonize the phenolic resin, thus forming a carbon film on the at least one surface. TiC particles are then inserted into the carbon film. Following the insertion of the TiC particles, a laser beam is scanned over the at least one surface of the Ti-6Al-4V workpiece. A stream of nitrogen gas is sprayed on the surface of the Ti-6Al-4V workpiece coaxially and simultaneously with the laser beam at a relatively high pressure, thus forming a barrier layer of TiCxN1-x, TiNx, Ti—C, and Ti2N compounds in the surface region.

Abstract: The method of nitriding nickel-cadmium-based superalloys is a method of forming a nitride barrier layer on a surface of a nickel-cadmium-based superalloy workpiece, such as an Inconel® 718 plate, using gas-assisted laser nitriding. The nickel-cadmium-based superalloy workpiece is first cleaned, both with a chemical bath and then through an ultrasonic cleaning process. Following the cleaning of the workpiece, a laser beam is scanned over a surface of the nickel-cadmium-based superalloy workpiece. A stream of nitrogen gas, which may be elemental nitrogen or nitrogen in the form of ammonia gas or the like, is sprayed on the surface of the nickel-cadmium-based superalloy workpiece coaxially and simultaneously with the laser beam to form the nitride barrier layer.