Lasers in metallurgy and technology of inorganic materials (Review)

A review is given of the applications of high-power cw and pulsed lasers in the technology of inorganic materials, including local hardening, welding, cutting of metals and dielectrics, film processing, drilling of holes, and so on. An analysis is made of the potential applications of high-power cw lasers in metallurgical processes, including preparation of refractory metals, remelting of high-temperature materials, growth of single crystals, processing of powder materials, etc.