Bupesh Raja V.K.¹, Shaik.Abdul Adil¹, Shaik.Mohammed Afridi¹, Gururaj Parande², Sravya Tekumalla², T. S. Srivatsan³, Manoj Gupta²; ¹Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, ²National University of Singapore, ³The University of Akron

The surface engineering of magnesium-base alloys and their composite counterparts is essential to facilitate their selection for use in real time applications.Modification of the surface through use of lasers does provide a unique topography while concurrently resulting in the occurrence of thermal cracking and undesirable changes in microstructural characteristics. In this presentation, details specific to surface of a magnesium alloy (Mg3Al) fabricated using the technique of disintegrated melt deposition (DMD) and subjected to laser ablation under liquid with the prime intent of minimizing drawbacks associated with conventional laser processing while concurrently promoting the formation of a nano-structured surface, magnesium hydroxide and other compounds that contribute to improving functionality will be highlighted. A fibre laser was used to carry out the laser etching studies. The effect of various laser etching patterns, namely: grooves, blind holes and their combinations, was investigated using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.