Method for forming a tribologically enhanced surface using laser treating
The invention provides a method for forming a tribologically enhanced surface on a work-piece. The method includes the step of combining a predetermined material operable to enhance tribological properties with a liquid to form a slurry or a solution. The method also includes the step of applying the slurry/solution to a surface of a work-piece. The method also includes the step of transforming the phase of the predetermined material with a laser after the applying step. Transforming the phase of the predetermined material generates a chemical reaction binding the tribological agent with the surface of the work-piece.
1 . A method for forming a tribologically enhanced surface on a work-piece comprising the steps of:
combining a predetermined material operable to enhance tribological properties with a liquid to form one of a slurry and a solution;
applying the one of the slurry and the solution to a surface of a work-piece; and
transforming a phase of the predetermined material with a laser after said applying step to generate a chemical reaction binding the predetermined material with the surface of the work-piece.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
selecting a form of sulfur as the predetermined material.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
selecting a form of chlorine as the predetermined material.
4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
selecting a form of phosphorous as the predetermined material.
5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
reducing a volume of the one of the slurry and the solution on the surface prior to said transforming step.
6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
selecting the liquid for having low reactivity with the surface of the work-piece during said transforming step.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein said selecting step is further comprises the step of:
selecting polyvinyl alcohol and an aqueous medium to form the liquid.
8 . The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:
reducing a volume of the one of the slurry and the solution on the surface prior to said transforming step by reducing an amount of the aqueous medium.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein said transforming step is further defined as:
melting the predetermined material with the laser.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein said transforming step is further defined as:
vaporizing the predetermined material with the laser.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein said transforming step is further defined as:
converting the predetermined material to a plasma with the laser.
12 . A method for forming a tribologically enhanced surface on a work-piece comprising the steps of:
combining a predetermined material operable to enhance tribological properties and selected from the group comprising iron phosphate, manganese phosphate, sulfur powder, iron chloride, dichloro dicetyl selenium dichloride, or octadecyl chloride with a liquid selected from the group comprising polyvinyl alcohol solution, shellac and a low melting point wax to form one of a slurry and a solution;
applying the one of the slurry and the solution to a surface of a work-piece by one of brush painting, screen printing, dipping, spraying, and ink jet printing; and
transforming a phase of the predetermined material through one of melting, vaporizing and generating plasma with a laser after said applying step to generate a chemical reaction binding the predetermined material with the surface of the work-piece.