Influence of laser heat treatment on microstructure and properties of surface layer of Waspaloy aimed for laser-assisted machining

In this study, a nickel-based superalloy, Waspaloy, was laser heat treated with diode laser. Single laser tracks were manufactured with different laser beam power densities between 63 and 331 kW/cm², and scanning laser beam speed ranged from 5 to 100 m/min. It was found that laser heat treatment of Waspaloy causes decrease in material hardness—the microhardness in laser tracks is about 300 HV0,1 while the microhardness of substrate is ranged from 300 to 600 HV0,1—which is a positive phenomenon for laser-assisted machining of investigated material. Impacts of laser heat treatment parameters on laser tracks properties were identified for obtaining multiple laser tracks with the most homogenous thickness. Moreover, roughness of heated layers was measured to specify surface quality after laser heat treatment. Multiple laser tracks were produced using different scanning laser beam speed and distances between laser tracks ranged from 0.125 to 1 mm. It was found that if scanning laser beam speed is 75 m/min and distance between laser tracks is equal to or lower than 0.25 mm, in microstructures of multiple laser tracks, cracks are occurring. The most suitable laser heat parameters for obtaining heated layers, and which can be used for laser-assisted machining, were identified as laser beam power density 178.3 kW/cm², scanning laser beam speed 5 m/min, and distance between laser tracks 0.125 mm.     

Laser removal of TiN from coated carbide substrate

Sustainable manufacturing requires the extended usage of materials and reuse of hard metal tooling. In general, titanium nitride (TiN) coating gives enhanced hardness and wear resistance to the surfaces of engineering tools. However, the high hardness makes it difficult to re-grind or refurbish TiN-coated materials, especially TiN-coated cutting tools. This paper presents the results of laser decoating of TiN from TiN-coated tungsten carbide (WC) substrates. Laser decoating was performed using a KrF excimer laser. The effect of laser fluence, number of pulses, frequency, scanning speed and beam overlap on the decoating performance was investigated in detail. A two-dimensional symmetric finite element model (FEM) was established to elucidate the temperature and stress fields created during the laser decoating process. Successful laser decoating of TiN coating from the WC substrate was demonstrated. It was found that decoating with a laser fluence of 4 J/cm², scanning speed of 2 mm/s, frequency of 25 Hz and a beam overlap of 91% gives best results for removing an area of TiN coating to its 3 μm thickness. The surface roughness of the best samples was found to be in the order of 0.8–0.9 μm Ra. The experimental and FEM investigation suggested that the decoating of TiN follows combined explosion and evaporation mechanism.     

Influence of energy induced from processing parameters on the mechanical properties of friction stir welded lap joint of aluminum to coated steel sheet

Friction stir welding has been attempted to evaluate joint strength of lap joint between aluminum sheet (AA6063) and zinc-coated steel (HIF-GA) sheet under different combination of rotational speed and traverse speed. The shear strength decreases significantly when rotational speed increases from 700 to 1,500 rpm at a traverse speed of 30 mm/min. At traverse speed of 50 mm/min, increasing rotational speed from 700 to 1,500 rpm, shear strength remains more or less the same. However, at a traverse speed of 100 mm/min, the shear strength increases significantly with increasing rotational speed from 700 to 1,500 rpm. Essentially, higher fracture load of the lap joint is obtained within a certain range of energy. The results have been correlated with the microstructural characteristics at the bond interface using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe micro analyzer, and X-ray diffraction. The results show that characteristics of intermetallic compound formed at the interface derived from energy input takes predominating role towards lap joint of Al and coated steel. Furthermore, force and torque responses influenced by the processing parameters can be utilized as weld quality check.     

An experimentally based thermo-kinetic phase transformation model for multi-pass laser heat treatment by using high power direct diode laser

Laser-based phase transformation hardening (LPTH), based on rapid heating and cooling cycles produces hard and wear-resistant layers only at the selective region of the components. However, the bulk mass of the material’s core property is retained. The advantages of high power direct diode laser in comparison with other high power lasers (CO₂ and Nd:YAG) have put this type of laser as a main heat source for localized heat treatment. However, a tempered zone is formed in overlapping regions of a large heat-treated area during multi-pass laser heat treatment (MPLHT) that affects the uniformity of heat-treated depth of material. This study is focused on the development of a uniform hardness distribution model to minimize the tempering effect during the MPLHT process. A tool steel AISI S7 is heat treated by using different levels of laser power (1,400–1,800 W) and scanning speeds (15–25 mm/s). An experimentally based finite element (FE) thermal model is developed to predict the cross-sectional as well as surface temperature history of the MPLHT process. The temperature-dependent material properties and phase change kinetics are taken into account in the model. The laser beam is considered as a moving rectangular-shaped heat source (12 mm?×?1 mm) with a uniform distribution (top-hat) of laser power. The temperature history acquired from the FE thermal model is coupled with thermo-kinetic (TK) equations to determine the corresponding phase transformations and hardness. The tempering effect of MPLHT is studied for different sizes of overlap (1 mm–3 mm) and lengths of scan (10 mm–35 mm). The TK model results are verified with experimental ones to optimize the processing parameters. The optimized processing parameters, including laser power, scanning speed, size of overlap, and the length of scan are used to achieve a uniform hardness distribution and an even depth of heat treatment in the MPLHT area.     

A THRESHOLD MODEL FOR LASER CLEANING OF LARGER SILICON WAFERS

High cleaning quality for silicon wafers without damage is a challenge in laser cleaning technologies. Laser cleaning of Al₂O₃ micro-particles, which are the main contaminants of silicon wafer lapping and polishing solutions used in industry, from silicon wafers was studied for determining laser energy for high efficient particle removal while not causing damage to the wafers. As the cleaning force is generated from laser-energy absorption and conduction of the wafer, heat-conduction model on silicon wafer was developed during laser irradiation using a finer finite element method, from which cleaning force exerting on the particles greater than the adhesion force between the particle and the substrate, but less than the wafer damage energy of laser input was determined. Calculations of the laser energy threshold values for both particle cleaning and wafer damage were conducted for silicon wafers of 200 mm in diameter and 0.2 mm in thickness, and they were found to be about 60 mJ/cm² and 320 mJ/cm², respectively. The laser energy threshold model was finally verified experimentally using a KrF Excimer laser and found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. With the cleaning parameters from the model, the cleaning efficiency of as high as 98% has been achieved.     

Microstructure,chemical composition,wear, and corrosion resistance of FeB–Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>B–Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>B surface layers produced on Vanadis-6 steel using CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser

The paper presents the study results of laser modification of FeB–Fe₂B surface layers produced on Vanadis-6 steel using pack cementation method. Microstructure, x-ray phase analysis, chemical composition study using wave dispersive spectrometry method, microhardness, corrosion resistance as well as surface condition, roughness, and wear resistance were investigated. The diffusion boronizing processes were performed at 900 °C for 5 h in the EKabor® powder mixture. The boronized layers had a dual-phase microstructure composed of two types of iron borides, FeB and Fe₂B, and their microhardness ranged from 1800 to 1400 HV. The laser surface modification was carried out on specimens after diffusion boronizing process using CO₂ laser with a nominal power of 2600 W. Laser beam power used in this experiment was equal to 1040 W and was constant. While the three values of scanning speed were used: 19, 48, and 75 mm/s. During laser modification, the multiple tracks were made where distance between of axis tracks was equal to 0.5 mm. As a result of this process, microstructure consisted of remelted zone, heat-affected zone, and substrate was obtained. In remelted zone, the boron-martensite eutectic was observed. Boronized layers after laser modification were characterized by the mild gradient of microhardness from surface to the substrate and their value was dependent on the scanning speed used and was between 1700 and 1100 HV. Corrosion resistance tests revealed reducing the current of corrosion in case of laser modification process. Wear resistance of laser modified specimens was improved in comparison to diffusion boronized layers.     

Jig-free laser welding of Eagle XG glasses by using a picosecond pulsed laser

We have performed the jig-free laser welding on the alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass (Eagle XG, Corning), which is commonly used in the display devices, by using a picosecond pulsed laser. Two sheets of Eagle XG glasses with 0.5 mm thickness each were placed one on top of the other. Due to the jig-free laser welding, there was a very thin air gap between the two glasses, and the experiment proceeded by line scanning. The welding performance was evaluated by observing the optical images from the top view and the bottom view and comparing the line images. We could bond the two glass surfaces on the laser spot, and achieve the successful welding of such glasses in the scanning speeds from 10 mm/s to 50 mm/s with the laser irradiance from 50 TW/cm²(500 J/cm²) to 83 TW/cm² (830 J/cm²). We demonstrated the feasibility of jig-free laser welding on the Eagle XG glass with the welding strength up to 50 MPa.

     

Investigating the formation of intermetallic compounds during friction stir welding of magnesium alloy to aluminum alloy in air and under liquid nitrogen

This research demonstrates the use of submerged friction stir welding under liquid nitrogen as an alternative and improved method for creating fine-grained welds, and hence, to alleviate formation of intermetallic phases. Magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy were joined by friction stir welding in two environments, namely air and liquid nitrogen, with 400 rpm rotation and 50 mm/min travel speed. The temperature profile, microstructure, scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis and hardness were evaluated. In the stir zone of air-welded specimen, formation of brittle intermetallic compounds causes the weld to crack. These phases were formed because of constitutional liquation. The stir zone of under liquid nitrogen-welded specimen showed that formation of intermetallic compounds is suppressed significantly because of lower heat input.     

Structuring of titanium using a nanosecond-pulsed Nd:YVO4 laser at 1064 nm

We demonstrate the manufacture of organized microstructures on titanium substrates in an air atmosphere utilizing a pulsed Nd:YVO₄ laser with pulse length of 8 ns and repetition rate of 30 kHz at 1064 nm. The ablation threshold of titanium for irradiation at this wavelength was measured to be in the range of 1.7–1.8 J/cm². For structuring of the metal, we used maximum laser energy fluence above the ablation threshold. This led to the generation of arrays of organized microstructures with average periods ranging from ~40 to ~90 μm. The mechanism for formation of the microstructures is discussed. Formation of such organized structures on titanium could find applications in sensing and biocompatibility.     

雷达功率组件的金刚石微通道热沉激光加工工艺

为研究雷达功率组件金刚石微通道热沉的加工难题,开展了飞秒激光加工多晶金刚石微流道的工艺研究,仿真模拟了飞秒激光作用于金刚石表面的温度场分布,以及诱导去除过程,理论与实验研究了金刚石的烧蚀阈值,系统研究了激光能量、扫描速度、扫描次数、焦点位置等参量及其优化工艺参数对金刚石微槽尺寸的影响规律.结果表明:当飞秒激光功率大于0...     

Investigation on infrared laser desorption of solid matrix using scanning electron microscope and fast photography

Infrared light from a pulsed optical parametric oscillator laser system was used to irradiate succinic acid (SA), a usual solid matrix used in matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization, under vacuum. Ablated SA particles were trapped using a silica plate mounted 3.0 mm above and parallel to the sample surface. The morphology and particle size of ablated particles at different laser fluences were investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The dynamics of plume propagation for SA desorption process was studied with fast photography at atmospheric pressure. Plume expanding at 1.12 J/cm² laser fluence was recorded using a high‐speed CMOS camera and corresponding propagation distance was measured. The solid matrix desorption was driven by phase explosion according to plume model fitting, which was consistent with the results of SEM. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:744–750, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Predictions of the optimized friction stir welding process parameters for joining AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy using preheating system

The scope of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of welding parameters on the mechanical properties and microstructural features of 3-mm-thick AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy subjected to gas heating system as a preheating source during friction stir welding. Toward this end, a gas heating system was designed to heat up the weld seam just ahead of rotating tool to soften the material before being stirred. Three welding parameters, five levels, and a central composite design (CCD) have been used to minimize the number of experimental conditions. The joining parameters such as tool rotational speed, welding speed, and shoulder diameter have a significant influence on determining the mechanical properties of the welded joints. It was found that using preheating system mostly can result in higher total heat input into the weld joint and effectively reduces the formation of defects when unsuitable process parameters were used. Also, an attempt has been made to establish the mathematical model to predict the tensile strength and microhardness of the joints. The optimal welding conditions to maximize the final responses were investigated and reported. The results show that the joint fabricated at a rotational speed of 1,050 rpm, welding speed of 100 mm/min, and shoulder diameter of 14 mm exhibited higher mechanical properties compared to other joints.     

Influences of rotation speed on microstructures and mechanical properties of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy joints fabricated by self-reacting friction stir welding tool

A 6061-T6 aluminum alloy was self-reacting friction stir welded by using the specially designed tool with unequal shoulder diameters at a constant welding speed of 150 mm/min to investigate the effect of rotation speed on microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints. Excessive flash on the bottom surface of the joint and groove defects on both surfaces of the joint were formed when the lower shoulder diameter was much smaller. The suitable shoulder sizes were determined as 16 and 18 mm in lower shoulder diameter and upper shoulder diameter, respectively. The grain size and the dislocation density in the weld nugget zone (WNZ) increased with increasing rotation speed. The tensile strength of joints first increased with increasing rotating speed and then decreased remarkably as a result of the formation of void defect. The joints welded at lower rotation speeds were fractured in the thermal mechanically affected zone (TMAZ). However, the fracture locations of the defect-free joints were changed to the heat affected zone (HAZ) at higher rotation speeds.     

A study on the influence of laser power on microstructural evolution and tribological functionality of metallic coatings deposited on Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Metallic Ti–Co binary coatings were fabricated on titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–4V) substrate by laser surface cladding technique using a continuous wave RofinSinar 4 kW Nd: YAG laser. The influence of laser power on microstructure, hardness and tribological performance of Ti–Co laser clad coatings on titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–4V) was examined. Laser powers of 750 and 900 W were varied with constant scan speed of 1.2 m/min. A beam size of 3 mm and argon shield gas flow rate of 1.2 L/min were set as the operating laser parameters. Phase identification and morphological studies of the coatings were carried out using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Based on the results of laser process optimisation, it was observed that both laser powers produced clad coatings with good metallurgical bond with no cracks or pores in the coatings. With respect to the substrate (Ti–6Al–4V), the microstructure, hardness and friction/wear behaviour of Ti–Co coatings on Ti–6Al–4V substrate were enhanced obviously.     

Effect of machining parameters on surface roughness and tool wear for 7075 Al alloy SiC composite

In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the influence of cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed rate on surface roughness during machining of 7075 Al alloy and 10 wt.% SiC particulate metal-matrix composites. The experiments were conducted on a CNC Turning Machine using tungsten carbide and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) inserts. Surface roughness of 7075Al alloy with 10 wt.% SiC composite during machining by tungsten carbide tool was found to be lower in the feed range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm/rev and depth of cut (DOC) range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm as compared to surface roughness at other process parameters considered. Above cutting speed of 220 m/min surface roughness of SiC composite during machining by PCD tool was less as compared to surface roughness at other values of cutting speed considered. Wear of tungsten carbide and PCD inserts was analyzed using a metallurgical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Flanks wear of carbide tool increased by a factor of 2.4 with the increase of cutting speed from 180 to 240 m/min at a feed of 0.1 mm/rev and a DOC of 0.5 mm. On the other hand, flanks wear of PCD insert increased by only a factor of 1.3 with the increase of cutting speed from 180 to 240 m/min at feed of 0.1 mm/rev and DOC 0.5 mm.     

Cutting performance of coated carbide tools in high-speed face milling of AISI H13 hardened steel

In the present study, high-speed face milling of AISI H13 hardened steel was conducted to investigate the cutting performance of coated carbide tools. The characteristics of chip morphology, tool life, tool wear mechanisms, and surface roughness were analyzed and compared for different cutting conditions. It was found that as the cutting speed increased, the chip morphology evolved in different ways under different milling conditions (up, down, and symmetric milling). Individual saw-tooth segments and sphere-like chip formed at the cutting speed of 2,500 m/min. Owing to the relatively low mechanical load, longest tool life can be obtained in up milling when the cutting speed was no more than 1,000 m/min. As the cutting speed increased over 1,500 m/min, highest tool life existed in symmetric milling. When the cutting speed was 500 m/min, owing to the higher mechanical load, the flaked region on the tool rake face in symmetric milling was much larger than that in up and down milling. There was no obvious wear on the tool rake face at the cutting speed of 2,500 m/min due to the short tool-chip contact length. In symmetric milling, the delamination of tool material, which did not occur in up and down milling, was caused by the relatively large cutting force. Abrasion had great effect on the tool flank wear in symmetric milling. With the increment of cutting speed, surface roughness decreased first and then increased rapidly. Lowest surface roughness can be obtained at the cutting speed of about 1,500 m/min.     

Parameter optimization and mechanism of laser–arc hybrid welding of dissimilar Al alloy and stainless steel

Laser–cold metal transfer arc hybrid welding of 6061 Al alloy and AISI304 stainless steel (304SS) was carried out. Bead morphologies and intermetallic compound (IMC) layer characterizations of the joints were studied in detail. The optimal parameter range for accepted bead appearances (OPRBA) without surface and interface defects was obtained, and the growth mechanism of the IMC layer was summarized. The results showed that the nonuniformity in the thickness and shape along the fusion zone/304SS interface from the top surface to the bottom increases with increasing heat input and is more sensitive to laser power because the interface temperature is dominated by a high-temperature laser keyhole throughout the molten pool. As the welding parameters are within the OPRBA and the heat input is within the range of 80–110 J/mm, the joints are stronger than 130 MPa and the corresponding IMC layer thickness is at the range of 3–6.5 μm. The kinetic analysis showed that a controlling interface temperature no more than 1,120 °C may limit the growth of the IMC layer.     

Effects of welding speed on microstructures and mechanical properties of AA2219-T6 welded by the reverse dual-rotation friction stir welding

Reverse dual-rotation friction stir welding (RDR-FSW) is a novel FSW technology in which the tool pin and the assisted shoulder rotates reversely, thus it has the capability to obtain appropriate welding conditions through adjusting the rotating tool pin and surrounding assisted shoulder independently. In the present study, a RDR-FSW tool system was designed and successfully applied to weld high strength aluminum alloy 2219-T6, and the effects of welding speed on microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated in detail. At a constant rotation speed of 800 rpm for both the rotating tool pin and the reversely rotating assisted shoulder, defect-free joints were obtained at welding speeds ranging from 50 to 150 mm/min, while a cavity defect appeared at the three-phase confluction on the advancing side when the welding speed increased to 200 mm/min. With increasing of the welding speed, the width of the softened region decreased, but the minimum microhardness value increased gradually. When compared with the joints welded by the conventional FSW, there is only a minor variation of the Vickers hardness across the stirring zone in the joint welded by the RDR-FSW. The maximum tensile strength 328 MPa (73.7 % of the base material) was obtained at the welding speed of 150 mm/min, while the elongation reached its maximum 7.0 % (60.9 % of the base material) at the welding speed of 100 mm/min. All defect-free joints were fractured at the weakest region with the minimum Vickers hardness, while for the joint with cavity defects the fracture occurred at the defect location. The tensile fracture was in the ductile fracture mode.     

Friction stir butt welding thin aluminum alloy sheets

0.8-mm-thick alclad 2024-T4 aluminum alloy sheets were friction stir butt welded. A 15-mm diameter shoulder tool was used to guarantee sufficient heat input during welding. A 0.08-mm shoulder plunge depth was adopted to reduce sheet thickness reduction. Sound joints were obtained at rotating speeds from 400 to 1000 rpm and welding speeds from 50 to 150 mm/min. A thickness reduction of 6% was achieved at 1000 rpm and 50 mm/min. Secondary phases firstly precipitated at the black lines in the stir zone (SZ). The hardness of the SZ showed a decrease about 6% compared with the base metal. A maximum tensile strength of 399.5 MPa and an elongation of 5.6% were achieved at 1000 rpm and 150 mm/min. The fracture morphologies showed typical ductile fracture mode.     

Laser decoating of DLC films for tribological applications

Damaged DLC coatings usually require remanufacturing of the entire coated components starting from an industrial chemical de-coating step. Alternatively, a complete or local coating repair can be considered. To pursue this approach, however, a local coating removal is needed as first operation. In this context, controlled decoating based on laser sources can be a suitable and clean alternative to achieve a pre-fixed decoating depth with high accuracy. In the present study, we investigated a laser-based decoating process executed on multilayered DLC films for advanced tribological applications (deposited via a hybrid PVD/PE-CVD technique). The results were acquired via multifocal optical digital microscopy (MF-ODM), which allowed high-resolution 3D surface reconstruction as well as digital profilometry of the lasered and unlasered surface. The study identifies the most critical process parameters which influence the effective decoating depth and the post-decoating surface roughness. In particular, the role of pulse overlap (decomposed along orthogonal directions), laser fluence, number of lasing passes and assist gas is discussed in text. A first experimental campaign was designed to identify the best conditions to obtain full decoating of the DLC + DLC:Cr layers. It was observed that decreasing the marking speed to 200 mm/s was necessary to obtain a sufficient pulse overlap and a nearly planar ablation profile. By operating with microsecond pulses and 1 J/cm² (fairly above the ablation threshold), less than 10 passes were needed to obtain full decoating of the lasered area with an etching rate of 1.1 μm/loop. Further experiments were then executed in order to minimise the roughness of the rest surface with the best value found at around 0.2 μm. Limited oxidation but higher R _a values were observed in Ar atmosphere.