Al-Cu-Fe thin films were prepared by laser induced arc (laser-arc) method from a single source-Al63Cu25Fe12 alloy, which was proved to consist of quasicrystalline phase together with approximant phase. The composition of the deposited films meets the requirement for formation of icosahedral symmetry phase. Quasicrystalline phase was obtained after annealing the amorphous as-deposit film samples. The optical properties of the samples were investigated. Thin film samples of Al, Cu and Fe deposited under the same condition were employed for comparison. The results showed specific reflective properties of Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal thin film in some wavelength range. The optical conductivity of the films exhibited a negative peak, centered about 440 nm in range of 190to 800 nm. The Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal thin films could absorb almost all the ray in the wavelength range from 420nm to 450 nm. The ratio of absorption was greater than 99%.
Al-Cu-Fe+Sn quasicrystalline(QC) composite coatings with different volume fractions of Sn, i.e.(12%,) (20%) (and 30%,) were prepared by laser cladding technique. The effects of soft phase Sn and processing parameters on the microstructure, microhardness and frictional behavior of the coatings were investigated. The results show that after laser cladding, i-phase existing in the powder is decomposed and element Sn reacts with Cu, forming β-CuSn. The volume fraction of Sn addition has less obvious effect on the microstructure, microhardness and friction performance than that of plasma sprayed coatings. The best performance in terms of microhardness and friction are (obtained) for the coating containing 20% Sn additions prepared with the laser power of 950 W and scanning velocity of 3 mm/s.
