Excimer laser treatment of nickel-coated mild steel

Abstract

Nickel coated mild steel specimens were irradiate with a high power excimer laser. Laser induced surface structures were observed by means of microscopy. The appearance of nickel oxides on the specimens surface was observed on x- rays diffraction spectra. The surface roughness was noted to be dependent on the lasing conditions. Energy dispersive x- rays analysis showed that iron atoms diffused into the nickel coating and nickel atoms diffused into the steel substrate.