Laser transfer process

In a method for producing a smooth continuous and adherent pressure bonded or cold welded layer of a metal containing composite on a base metal through the driving force of a pulsed laser, which includes the steps of selecting a laser transparent substrate, applying to said substrate a thin polymeric film characterized by a high optical coefficient of absorption to the wavelength of said laser, applying said metal containing composite onto said thin polymeric film, and placing said base metal in close proximity to said thin polymeric film containing composite, the improvement comprising in combination therewith the steps of

• a) preparing said thin polymeric film containing composite as a multilayered composite comprising an absorptive polymer, a metal, nickel and a metal flash layer, and
• b) directing pulsed laser energy at an energy density of between about 12 and 18 J/cm.sup.2 through said transparent substrate toward said thin polymeric film containing composite whereby said laser energy is absorbed by said thin polymeric film causing heating and vaporization of said film to a controlled depth of said film, leaving remaining portions of said film unvaporized after said depth to act as support for said composite to be pressure bonded or cold welded, said vaporization providing the necessary pressure to blowoff said remaining unvaporized portions of said film, thereby propelling said composite onto said base metal.