Topography of grain boundaries varied by short pulse laser irradiation for controlling microstructures of metals

Abstract

A visualization method of metal grain boundaries with a short pulse laser has been developed. This visualization method was required for selecting grain in local heating system with a CW (continuous wave) fiber laser for controlling grain structures. Two kinds of short pulse lasers, nanosecond and femtosecond lasers, were used in the experiments for promoting the visualization. The sample metal was a pure aluminum (99.59%) plate. The topography of the grain boundary regions was changed by the nanosecond laser irradiation. This topography change enabled the visualization of the grain boundaries.A visualization method of metal grain boundaries with a short pulse laser has been developed. This visualization method was required for selecting grain in local heating system with a CW (continuous wave) fiber laser for controlling grain structures. Two kinds of short pulse lasers, nanosecond and femtosecond lasers, were used in the experiments for promoting the visualization. The sample metal was a pure aluminum (99.59%) plate. The topography of the grain boundary regions was changed by the nanosecond laser irradiation. This topography change enabled the visualization of the grain boundaries.