Femtosecond laser processing of advanced technical materials

Tomáš Primus; Martin Novák; Pavel Zeman; František Holešovský

doi:10.14311/AP.2023.63.0036

Authors

Tomáš Primus Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Production Machines and Equipment, Horská 3, 128 00 – Prague 2, Czech Republic; Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Machining, Process Planning and Metrology ,Technická 4, 160 00 – Prague 6, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6240-9763
Martin Novák Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Production Machines and Equipment, Horská 3, 128 00 – Prague 2, Czech Republic
Pavel Zeman Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Production Machines and Equipment, Horská 3, 128 00 – Prague 2, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6222-3419
František Holešovský Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Machining, Process Planning and Metrology ,Technická 4, 160 00 – Prague 6, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5072-3229

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2023.63.0036

Keywords:

femtosecond laser ablation, Ti6Al4V, Inconel 718, AISI 316L, tool steel, surface texture

Abstract

Ultra-short pulsed laser ablation may be used for high-precision machining with very low thermal influence on the processed materials. Due to this reason, lasers are increasingly used for processing of advanced materials, such as titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys or steel, every year. In this study, four advanced technical materials were analysed and compared under femtosecond laser irradiation with three different wavelengths. The main laser-material interaction parameters were identified, namely the ablation threshold and removal efficiency parameters. Higher removal rates were found for Ti6Al4V alloy with all three harmonic wavelengths. To increase process productivity, a method of increasing the repetition rate and scanning speed was presented. With the maximum repetition rate, the productivity increased five-fold with a similar removed depth and surface quality. Finally, the suitability of the identified parameters with regard to quality and productivity was demonstrated for fabrication of two complex structures – honeycomb and dot – which has the potential to improve friction properties of advanced materials.

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