Numerical modelling and experimental study on pulsed laser surface texturing on cemented carbides

Abstract

In this study, the numerical model of LST process using pulsed laser system is established, in which the absorption coefficient of laser energy by the cemented carbides was determined through comparing finite element analysis and experiments results. And then the numerical model is verified through LST experiments. Finally, the relations between LST parameters and depth/width ratio and HAZ/width ratio are analyzed. The results showed that within the parameters’ ranges studied in this paper, the laser energy absorption coefficient for cemented carbides decreases with the increase of the laser frequency and increases with the increase of laser power. Scanning speed has almost no effect on the absorption coefficient. As for the influence of laser parameters on the parameters of the micro-groove, it is found that laser power has the greatest influence on the HAZ/width ratio, followed by laser frequency and scanning speed. In contrast, laser parameters have no significant influence on the depth/width ratio of the micro-groove. The optimum laser parameters should be chosen after the requirement of the micro-groove parameters.