Abstract

An amalgamated alumina/silica-based oxide compound (AOC) was surface treated using a 60 W high
power diode laser (HPDL). The effects of HPDL radiation on the wettability and adhesion
characteristics of the AOC and a vitreous enamel have been determined. The basic process
phenomena are investigated and the effects of laser irradiation in terms of composition and
microstructure are presented. Without laser treatment of the AOC surface it was not possible to fire
the enamel onto the AOC. However, wetting experiments using a number of control liquids, by the
sessile drop technique, revealed that laser treatment of the AOC surface resulted in the polar
component of the surface energy increasing after laser treatment from 2.00 mJm-2 to 16.15 mJm-2.
Additionally, surface roughness measurements revealed that after laser treatment, the surface
roughness had decreased from an Ra value of 25.85μm to 6.27μm, whilst an energy disperse X-ray
analysis (EDX) revealed that the relative surface oxygen content of the AOC had increased by
36.29% after laser treatment. Thus, laser treatment was identified as effecting a decrease in the
enamel contact angle from 1180 to 330; consequently allowing the vitreous enamel to wet the surface.
The bonding mechanisms were identified as being principally due to van der Waals forces, however,
some evidence of chemical bonding was observed. The work has shown clearly that laser radiation
can be used to alter the wetting characteristics of the AOC.