United States Patent [wj
Earle et al.
[ii] 4,117,302 [45] Sep. 26, 1978
[54] METHOD FOR FUSIBLY BONDING A COATING MATERIAL TO A METAL ARTICLE
[75] Inventors: Michael Earle, Mapleton; Glenn H.
Lenzen, Jr., Peoria, both of 111.
[73] Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, 111.
[21] Appl. No.: 543,191
[22] Filed: Jan. 24,1975
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 447,971, Mar. 4, 1974, abandoned.
[51] Int. CI.* B23K 26/00
[52] U.S. CI 219/121 LM; 29/156.7 R;
219/76.1
[58] Field of Search 219/121 L, 121 LM, 121 EB,
219/121 EM, 121 P, 76, 77, 76.1; 29/156.7 R,
156.7 A
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,303,319 2/1967 Steigerwald 219/121 L
3,310,423 3/1967 Ingfiam, Jr 219/121 L X
3,362,057 1/1968 Kubera et al 29/156.7
3,410,203 11/1968 Fischbeck 219/121 L
3,417,223 12/1968 Steigerwald 219/121 L
3,663,793 5/1972 Petro et al 219/121 LM
3,673,374 6/1972 Hauck 219/76
3,802,927 4/1974 Gomada 219/121 L X
3,806,692 4/1974 Few 219/121 EM
3,813,509 5/1974 Woods et al 219/76
3,848,104 11/1974 Locke 219/121 L
3,855,444 12/1974 Palena 219/76
4,015,100 3/1977 Gnanamuthu et al 219/76
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Alfred O. Schmidt, "Tools & Engineering Materials With Hard, Wear-Resistant Infusions", Journal of Engineerng for Industry, 8/1969, pp. 549-552. Pertinent Sections of U.S. Patent Application S.N. 431,240, filed 1/7/1974, by Gnanamuthu et al.
Primary Examiner—J. V. Truhe
Assistant Examiner—Clifford C. Shaw
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Charles E. Lanchantin, Jr.
[57] ABSTRACT
A method for fusibly bonding a coating material to a metal article includes depositing such coating material in solid form on a surface of the article, substantially simultaneously thermally liquifying the coating material and the surface of the article by focusing a relatively high power continuous wave laser beam thereon, and removing the laser beam therefrom to allow cooling and hardening thereof so as to provide a solidified surface layer with a strong and relatively thin interstitial bond between the layer and the article. An exemplary engine valve with a relatively fine structure of the coating material for increased hardness is disclosed.
9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
