Affected Characteristics Analysis of the Pulsed Laser Forming of Metal Sheet

Abstract

Laser forming of metal sheet is a forming technology of sheet without a die that the sheet is deformed by internal thermal stress induced by partially irradiation of a laser beam. In this paper, the bending behavior of common stainless steel 1Cr18Ni9 sheet is studied after being irradiated by straight line with a Nd:YAG pulsed laser beam. The aim of the investigation is to find out the relationship of the physical behaviors of heat affected zone (HAZ) with the pulse parameters of the laser. Through the analysis of the fundamental theory of pulsed laser affected, this paper shows the affected characteristics of metal sheet with pulsed laser forming. The results show that the microstructure of HAZ of pulsed laser scanned is layered, and the micro-hardness is improved than that in matrix. The microstructures show that the deformed grain structure is inhomogeneous, that caused the grain sizes and grain orientations in HAZ to become different. By qualitative analysis of experimental result, the conclusion obtained may provide basis for theoretical investigation and possible industrial application of laser forming process in the future.