Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for enhancing the wear resistance of an iron engine cylinder bore comprising laser alloying of the cylinder bore with selected precursors and honing the cylinder bore to a preselected dimension. The present invention is particularly well suited for enhancing the resistance to wear caused by the corrosion caused by automotive ethanol fuel. The present invention is also directed toward an improved automotive engine comprising alloyed cylinder bores with enhanced wear resistance characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved laser beam useful in material surface processing and an apparatus for producing the improved laser beam. The improved laser beam of the present invention comprises a power distribution that is more intense at the outer regions than in the central region. The invention includes an apparatus comprising a power spherical and cylindrical optical elements aligned to focus and/or shape a laser beam into a novel profile useful in material surface processing. The invention further includes a method of using this apparatus to focus and/or shape a laser beam for producing Laser Induced Surface Improvements, hereinafter referred to as "LISI".

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a process for laser alloying of a workpiece and an apparatus for carrying out said process. The method embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a process for forming an alloy in the surface of a metal substrate comprising the steps of applying an alloy precursor material at a controlled rate to the surface of the substrate and then melting the surface and the precursor alloy material by the application of a laser beam in order to form an alloy of the precursor alloy material and the substrate. The method embodiment of the present invention further comprises the steps of measuring one or more parameters indicative of alloying depth, controlling the rate of precursor application in response to at least one of the measured parameters, and allowing the allow to solidify.

Abstract: A feedback control system for performing and controlling the laser alloying of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a laser beam delivery system, a movement system capable of causing relative movement between a laser beam and a workpiece being irradiated by the laser beam, a precursor application system capable of applying a precursor at a desired rate to the surface of a moving workpiece, and a control system capable of receiving input signals indicative of one or more measured process parameters, processing those signals, and transmitting a control signal capable of controlling the laser beam delivery system, movement system, and/or precursor application system. Other embodiments of the invention utilize a variety of process parameter measuring devices in conjunction with the control system. These devices include, but are not limited to, temperature transducers, infrared detectors, and emission spectra measuring devices.