초록 ▼

Energy, such as from one or more lasers, is directed at the surface of a substrate to mobilize and vaporize a constituent element (e.g., carbide) within the substrate (e.g., steel). The vaporized constituent element is reacted by the energy to alter its physical structure (e.g., from carbon to diamo

Energy, such as from one or more lasers, is directed at the surface of a substrate to mobilize and vaporize a constituent element (e.g., carbide) within the substrate (e.g., steel). The vaporized constituent element is reacted by the energy to alter its physical structure (e.g., from carbon to diamond) to that of a composite material which is diffused back into the substrate as a composite material. An additional secondary element, which can be the same as or different from the constituent element, may optionally be directed (e.g., sprayed) onto the substrate to augment, enhance and/or modify the formation of the composite material, as well as to supply sufficient or additional material for fabricating one or more coatings on the surface of the substrate. The process can be carried out in an ambient environment (e.g., without a vacuum), and without pre-heating or post-cooling of the substrate.

대표청구항 ▼

Method of forming a coating on a substrate, comprising: directing energy at a surface of a substrate, and with the energy: mobilizing one or more constituent elements in a sub-surface zone of the substrate; moving the one or more constituent elements towards the surface of the substrate; vaporizing

Method of forming a coating on a substrate, comprising: directing energy at a surface of a substrate, and with the energy: mobilizing one or more constituent elements in a sub-surface zone of the substrate; moving the one or more constituent elements towards the surface of the substrate; vaporizing selected amounts of the one or more constituent elements in a controlled manner; reacting the vaporized one or more constituent elements; and forming, from the vaporized and reacted one or more constituent elements, a material in the sub-surface zone of the substrate; and further comprising: while directing a secondary element from a secondary source at the surface of the substrate, and while continuing to direct energy at the surface of the substrate, fabricating a coating on the surface of the substrate.