Effect of Nanosecond Laser Treatment on the Structure and Hardness of the Zr–1% Nb Alloy.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopies are used to study the microstructure and phase composition of the surface layer of Zr–1% Nb alloy, which was subjected to treatment by nanosecond laser pulses. During laser treatment, a thin strengthened surface layer with the fine microstructure is found to form. The strengthening of the surface layer no less than 4 µm thick is proved to be due to the formed twin micropackets consisting of martensite nanolamellas and nano-sized ω-Zr phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]