Device and method for remelting metallic surfaces

1 . A method for remelting a metallic surface of a component, the method comprising:

generating a plasma jet using microwave impact on a carrier gas so as to generate a high pressure plasma jet having a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure;

applying the plasma jet to the metallic surface in a localized area so as to remelt a surface layer; and

allowing the surface layer to solidify, thereby undergoing a structure refinement;

2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the pressure of the plasma jet is from 0.1 MPa to 0.8 MPa.

3 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the carrier gas includes at least one of the gases He, Ar, N 2 , H 2 , O 2 , CO 2 , H 2 O, CH 4 and C 2 H 6 .

4 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the carrier gas is formed by air.

5 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plasma jet has a length greater than 5 cm.

6 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plasma jet is expanded in a fan-shaped manner.

7 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising supplying the plasma jet with substances close to a nozzle outlet aperture.

8 . The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the substances are solid substances formed by ceramic powders.

9 . The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the substances are liquid substances formed by metal-organic solutions or metal salt solutions.

10 . The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the substances include at least one of solid and liquid substances and wherein the substances form solid particles in the remelted surface layer, the particles being consisting essentially of at least one of Al 2 O 3 , AlN, MgO, SiC and Si 3 N 4 .

11 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plasma jet has a power density from 6 kW/cm 2 to 20 kW/cm 2 and wherein the applying includes moving the plasma jet over the surface at a speed of from 2 mm/sec to 4 mm/sec.

12 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plasma jet has a power density from 20 kW/cm 2 to 60 kW/cm 2 range and wherein the applying includes moving the plasma jet over the surface at a speed of from 3 mm/sec to 10 mm/sec.

13 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the metallic surface is formed by a light metal alloy.

14 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the metallic surface is disposed in an area of at least one of a valve bar and a valve seat of a light metal cylinder head.

15 . A plasma torch for generating a directed high pressure plasma jet, the plasma torch comprising:

a supply of pressurized carrier gas;

a generating device for generating a plasma, the generating device including a magnetron and a resonator configured to transfer the pressurized carrier gas into a plasma using microwaves; and

an outlet nozzle allowing a jet of the plasma to exit at a pressure greater than 0.1 MPa.

16 . The plasma torch as recited in claim 15 , wherein the pressure of the carrier gas or plasma gas in the resonator is from 0.2 MPa to 0.8 MPa.

17 . The plasma torch as recited in claim 15 , wherein a power of the microwaves in the resonator is from 0.8 kW to 20 kW.

18 . The plasma torch as recited in claim 15 , further comprising a supply device disposed in a region of the nozzle, the supply device configured to supply solid or liquid substances to the jet.

19 . The plasma torch as recited in claim 18 , wherein the supply device includes a ring nozzle disposed around the plasma jet.