Laser textured titanium surface characterization

Abstract

Laser surface texturing has emerged as an environmental technological option and fast developing technique to provide different surface conditions. In order to improve its efficiency, it is necessary to overcome the usual trial and error approach by carefully mastering operating parameters. The present work analyzes the effects of a pulsed nanosecond laser beam on the processing of titanium surfaces. The textured surfaces were characterized using various experimental techniques, including scanning microwave microscopy (SMM). The results show the impact of laser fluence, number of laser pulses and laser dimple pitch on textured surfaces mainly from a morphological (microscopies) and mechanical (XRD and SMM) perspective. The topography was analyzed according to the laser texturing parameters. A model of the cumulative effect of the number of laser pulses has been demonstrated. In addition, laser texturing modifies the surface residual stresses. Laser texturing effects on the surface mechanical state were analyzed by varying the laser texturing parameters and also by comparing isolated textured dimples and textured regions as a whole. Many changes were found such as surface topography and residual stresses, surface changes that need to be characterized and known to provide a better understanding of the performance and operating behavior of the materials.