Nd:YAG laser micromachining of alumina aluminium interpenetrating phase composite using response surface methodology

Abstract

The alumina–aluminium (Al2O3-Al) system is one of the most studied ceramic–metal Interpenetrating Phase Composites (IPC) systems. New opportunities for creating ceramic–metal IPCs with a highly regular architecture and tailored properties exist through the recent development of solid freeform fabrication techniques. Pulsed laser sources are widely used in recent times for the microprocessing of difficult-to-machine materials from structuring and patterning of surfaces to direct machining of devices. The effect of several laser machining parameters has been investigated on Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) thickness and taper of the microdrilled holes on alumina–aluminium composite work samples using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Mathematical modelling of Nd:YAG laser performance criteria correlating the various process parameters have also been done.