Simulation research on the laser electrochemical compound deposition process based on electric coupling with temperature and flow field

Abstract

ABSTRACT Laser electrochemical compound deposition (LECD), which introduces a high-energy laser beam into the process of electrochemical deposition, has the advantages of a higher deposition rate and better machining quality. With the multiple-field characteristic coupling of LECD, the multi-physics simulation software, COMSOL, was selected to perform simulations to ascertain the influence of laser irradiation on electrochemical deposition. Here, the finite element model of LECD was established, the simulation of electric coupling with temperature and flow field was performed and the main forms of mass transfer were studied. The results demonstrate that the LECD process is primarily diffusion controlled. An electrodeposition rate experiment and local electrodeposition experiment were carried out for confirmation purposes. The experimental results of the electrodeposition rate study were consistent with the simulation results. Patterned localised electrodeposition was realised by LECD because of the enhanced effect of the laser irradiation on electrodeposition.