Abstract
In this study, we explored the effects of a laser cleaning process on the surface properties of an aerospace aluminum alloy. We performed surface cleaning on an AA2024 aluminum alloy. Through SEM and EDS analyses on the surface of the aluminum alloy samples after cleaning, the cleaning effect on the aluminum alloy under different laser energy densities was studied. After laser cleaning, residual stress, hardness, friction, and wear tests were performed on the aluminum alloy samples. The experimental results demonstrated that the oxides on the surface of AA2024 could be effectively removed when the laser energy density was 10.5 J/cm2. With an increase in the laser energy density, the friction and wear properties of the AA2024 surface could be improved. Laser cleaning could also generate a new hardened layer and residual tensile stress on the surface of AA2024. This article provides a reference for applying laser cleaning in the aerospace field by studying the structure and mechanical properties of an aluminum alloy after laser cleaning.
Highlights
As the primary structural material of space shuttles, aluminum alloys are widely used in the critical parts of spacecraft skins, propellers, fuel tanks, and landing gear struts [1,2,3].The 2XXX aluminum alloy has copper as the main alloy element
Due to its high strength, strong heat resistance, and good processing performance, it is mainly used to produce significant space shuttle skin components [4]. 2XXX aluminum materials exposed to the air for an extended period will form an uneven and non-continuous surface oxide film that must be thoroughly removed before the components are welded and repainted [5,6] or it will significantly impact the bonding force of the coating and the welding quality [7,8]
Changes in the surface microstructure of metal materials will affect their mechanical properties, so we studied the effect of laser cleaning on the surface microhardness and residual stress of the aluminum alloy
Summary
As the primary structural material of space shuttles, aluminum alloys are widely used in the critical parts of spacecraft skins, propellers, fuel tanks, and landing gear struts [1,2,3]. This chemical cleaning method requires a substantial workforce and pollutes the environment; the cleaning quality is difficult to guarantee [11]. After years of technological development, it has been applied analyses of the surface of the treatment aluminum alloy of sample after cleaning, the cleaning effect on an Nd:YAG to the surface process various metal materials [17,18]. By SEM and EDS analyses ospace equipment hassurface strict requirements on the mechanical properties of the materials, of the of the aluminum alloy sample after cleaning, cleaningreeffect on the sidual stress andaluminum hardnessalloy testssurface were performed on the cleaned aluminum alloy samples, under different laser energy densities was studied. Coatings 2022, 12, 273 and mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy after laser cleaning provides a theoretical for applying laser cleaning in the aerospace field
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