the graphite flakes the alfin intermetallic bond forms on the exterior of the chromium plated surface of the ferrous piece thusly the bond formed between the chromium treated ferrous piece and the aluminum piece is free of graphitic impurities tensile strength testing was performed on samples taken from the bond regions of alfin bonds between aluminum alloy pistons and unmodified ni resist piston ring carriers as well as on samples taken from the bond region of alfin bonds between aluminum alloy pistons and laser treated ni resist piston ring carriers and between aluminum alloy pistons and chromium coated ni resist piston ring carriers the samples were sectioned normal to the plane of the bond by edm ten specimens were prepared from the untreated the laser treated and the chromium coated bonds the tensile strengths of the bonds were measured by a load strength test load testing of alfin bonds between aluminum pistons and both laser treated and chrome plated piston rings indicate that both processes for graphite removal from participation in the bond interface result in substantial increases in bond strength load testing of the bonded pistons made with the laser treated piston rings indicates a 60 increase in bond strength load testing of the bonded pistons made with the chrome plated piston rings indicates a bond strength in excess of 60 the bond strengths exceeded the.