Laser texturing as an alternative to grit blasting for improved coating adhesion on AZ91D magnesium alloy

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Abstract
Substrate preparation plays an important role in the performance of thermal spray coating, especially on softer materials like magnesium and aluminium alloys. Conventional substrate preparation methods such as grit blasting may not be the most suitable choice due to grit embedding, lower coating adhesion strength and environmental concerns. Laser texturing can be an attractive alternative to the grit blasting method for such materials. AZ91D substrate was prepared for thermal spray coating using grit blasting and laser texturing techniques. WC-12Co powder was thermally sprayed on AZ91D magnesium alloy using the high-velocity oxygen fuel technique. The adhesion strength of the coating, thus produced, was determined using the ASTM 633C adhesion strength test. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate substrate morphology and to qualitatively analyse substrate and coating interface. X-ray diffraction was used to identify phase compositions. The coating was characterised for roughness, porosity, micro-hardness and fracture toughness. Laser texturing as a substrate preparation technique has been able to produce well-adhered coatings, with adhesion strength of 45.6 MPa, and comparable coating characteristics with those of the grit blasting technique.

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