Ablation behavior of SiCp/AA2024 composites irradiated by a single-pulse nanosecond laser

Abstract

In this study, homogenous Al alloy and SiC materials and SiCp/AA2024 composites with mean particle diameters of 5 μm and 30 μm were irradiated by a single-pulse nanosecond fiber laser with a 200 ns pulse width and 1064 nm wavelength. Using a laser pulse, regular circular heat-affected zones (HAZ) were formed in the homogenous materials. For the composites, an Al allloy matrix was melted and sputtered, and the SiC particles bulged when irradiated by the laser pulse. According to the measured results, the HAZ increased with the pulse energy density in a logarithmic pattern. Nonlinear fitting results demonstrated that the damage thresholds of the composites and SiC homogenous materials were the lowest and highest, respectively. SiCp/AA2024 composites with different mean particle diameters exhibited similar damage thresholds. The measured etching depths of the SiC particles and Al alloy matrix were smaller than the respective values of the homogenous materials. Thermal simulation results revealed that thermal-mechanical coupling occurred between the SiC particles and Al alloy matrix. The SiC particles in the composite heated more rapidly under a nanosecond laser, and the heat was then transferred to the matrix. Large SiC particles constrained the matrix’s molten pool, which accelerated its gasification but hindered further etching.