Abstract: Silicon was added to the surface of 304 stain- less steel by laser melting the sprayed preplaced Si powders.The optical microscopy,X-ray diffraction and EPMA were employed to investigate the microstructure and chemical composition of the laser surface alloyed layer.The hardness of the al- loyed layer was measured by microhardness test and wear resistance was evaluated by scratch test. Corrosion resistance of laser alloyed sample was studied in 1N H_2SO_4+0.1N NaCl and 0.5N HCl+0.5N NaCl aqueous solutions.A microcrystalline intermetallic compound coating with smooth surface and good chemical homogeneity without porosity and crack is ob- tained.The hardness is about 720 HV.The wear re- sistance is 2 times better than that of the substrate. The corrosion resistance of the laser alloyed sample is much better than that of 304 stainless steel sample.

Key words: laser, surface alloying, microcrystalline, intermetallic compound, corrosion