Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to materials processing methods using femtosecond duration laser pulses, and to the altered materials obtained by such methods. The resulting nanostructured (with or without macro- and micro-structuring) materials have a variety of applications, including, for example, aesthetic applications for jewelry or ornamentation; biomedical applications related to biocompatibility; catalysis applications; and modification of, for example, the optical and hydrophilic properties of materials including selective coloring.

A process for producing an amorphous ductile brazing foil is provided. According to one example embodiment, the method includes providing a molten mass, and rapidly solidifying the molten mass on a moving cooling surface with a cooling speed of more than approximately 10.sup.5 C./sec to produce an amorphous ductile brazing foil. A process for joining two or more parts is also provided. The process includes inserting a brazing foil between two or more parts to be joined, wherein the parts to be joined have a higher melting temperature than that the brazing foil to form a solder joint and the brazing foil comprises an amorphous, ductile Ni-based brazing foil; heating the solder joint to a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the brazing foil to form a heated solder joint; and cooling the heated solder joint, thereby forming a brazed joint between the parts to be joined.

A process for producing an amorphous ductile brazing foil is provided. According to one example embodiment, the method includes providing a molten mass, and rapidly solidifying the molten mass on a moving cooling surface with a cooling speed of more than approximately 10.sup.5 C./sec to produce an amorphous ductile brazing foil. A process for joining two or more parts is also provided. The process includes inserting a brazing foil between two or more parts to be joined, wherein the parts to be joined have a higher melting temperature than that the brazing foil to form a solder joint and the brazing foil comprises an amorphous, ductile Ni-based brazing foil; heating the solder joint to a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the brazing foil to form a heated solder joint; and cooling the heated solder joint, thereby forming a brazed joint between the parts to be joined.

Provided herein are methods for the controlled, independent modification of the surface of magnesium-based materials and compositions generated thereby. The methods allow for the alteration of multiple surface characteristics including generation of precise nanostructures, morphology, crystallography, chemical hybridizations and chemical composition for controlled bioresorption and/or increased biocompatibility, for example, osseointegration, hydroxyapatite formation, osseoconduction, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, enhanced local mechanical properties (elasticity, modulus, surface texture, porosity), hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, steric hindrance, modulating-immuno response, anti-inflammatory properties and/or anti-bacterial properties.

Provided herein are systems and methods for the controlled surface modification of a material substrate, including, for example, generation of nanostructures, crystallographic or morphologic alterations and the removal of defects, changes in chemical composition and bond structure and the creation of thermodynamic metastable states. The provided systems and methods utilize one or more directed energetic particle beams with independently controlled parameters (e.g. incident angle, fluence, flux, energy, species, etc.) to precisely and efficiently generate enhanced surface properties beyond those of conventional plasma kinetic roughening.

A method of making a metallic alloy, more particularly, a high-entropy alloy with a composite structure that exhibits high strength and good ductility, and is used as a component material in electromagnetic, chemical, shipbuilding, machinery, and other applications, and in extreme environments, and the like.

A method of making a metallic alloy, more particularly, a high-entropy alloy with a composite structure that exhibits high strength and good ductility, and is used as a component material in electromagnetic, chemical, shipbuilding, machinery, and other applications, and in extreme environments, and the like.

Provided herein are methods for the controlled, independent modification of the surface of titanium-based materials and compositions generated thereby. The methods allow for the alteration of multiple surface characteristics including generation of precise nanostructures, morphology, crystallography and chemical composition for increased biocompatibility, for example, osseointegration, osseoconduction, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, mechanical properties (e.g. elasticity, modulus, surface texture, porosity), hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, steric hindrance, anti-inflammatory properties and/or anti-bacterial properties.

Provided herein are methods for the controlled, independent modification of the surface of titanium-based materials and compositions generated thereby. The methods allow for the alteration of multiple surface characteristics including generation of precise nanostructures, morphology, crystallography and chemical composition for increased biocompatibility, for example, osseointegration, osseoconduction, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, mechanical properties (e.g. elasticity, modulus, surface texture, porosity), hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, steric hindrance, anti-inflammatory properties and/or anti-bacterial properties.

This invention concerns a method of improving the wear resistance of a cemented carbide. The method includes using fracture toughness as a selection criterion and selecting a cemented carbide which has a fracture toughness between about 6 and about 15 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2. The method further includes applying a sacrificial coating to the cemented carbide and increasing the fracture toughness of the cemented carbide by creating a toughened surface layer using laser shock peening, thereby increasing its fracture resistance to fatigue and stress corrosion cracking. The invention also concerns a cutting tool or a cutting tool insert made from a cemented carbide and treated using the method according to the invention.