Influence Of Laser Parameters Research Articles

Enhanced tribological properties and cyto-biocompatibility of dental Ti6Al4V alloy via laser surface texturing

Currently, the application of titanium-based implants is hindered by challenges such as inadequate wear resistance and limited osseointegration. Surface texturing technique has been recognized as an effective strategy to improve the surface performances of metallic material. The present work adopts a nanosecond laser texturing technique to fabricate micro textures on the titanium substrate. Firstly, the influence of laser parameters on the texture morphology and quality were investigated. Subsequently, both isotropic and anisotropic surface textures were fabricated to examine the impacts of texture form on wettability, tribological behavior, and cell adhesion and proliferation. The obtained results reveal that both the two textures promote the surface wettability of Ti6Al4V alloy towards a hydrophobic direction. Furthermore, the anisotropic micro-groove texture and the isotropic micro-grid texture can reduce the wear rate of titanium alloy by 42.02% and 73.64%, respectively. However, from the perspective of cyto-biocompatibility, the anisotropic micro-groove texture is capable of triggering an excellent cell contact guidance phenomenon, leading to a dramatically accelerated proliferation rate and facilitating the bone tissue growth in a specific direction.

Coating-assisted picosecond laser ablation for microstructure fabrication of SiC ceramics.

Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics have emerged as critical materials in the production of high-precision components. Ultrafast laser processing is deemed the optimal technique for micro-nano manufacturing of SiC. However, the permanent deposition layer induced by laser ablation can critically impact the precision of the component. In this work, a coating-assisted picosecond laser ablation (CAPLA) method was proposed, in which sacrificial photoresist coating was utilized to improve surface quality without efficiency loss. The coating serves to prevent the uncooled plasma from contacting with the substrate, thereby preventing the formation of a permanent deposition layer. By comparing the CAPLA method with laser direct ablation, the influence of laser parameters and photoresist coating characteristics on the deposition layer was investigated systematically. A processed surface devoid of deposition layers can be achieved by CAPLA with low pulse energy and a high number of scans. The uniformity is critical to ensure the transmission of the laser beam, and a larger thickness can improve the processing efficiency by increasing the limit of pulse energy capacity. Pin arrays and vacuum grooves for SiC ceramic vacuum chucks were fabricated to demonstrate the superiority of the CAPLA method. These results suggest that this method can be a novel and promising approach for high-precision component manufacturing.

Generation of Wide Color Gamut in a Collisional and Magnetized Plasma by Laser‐Induced Coloration on Composite Structure Surfaces

AbstractIn this paper, a new scheme for generating a wide gamut of structural colors on the thin‐film‐stack‐based (TFSB) substrates is proposed. The TFSB surfaces consist of titanium/random gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and titanium/ random gold and copper nanoparticles (Au+CuNPs), which can trigger more resonance absorption and widen the color gamut. The electric fields in two designed structures are simulated, and the results showed that the random distribution of AuNPs and Au+CuNPs enhance the uniform local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) response. This enhancement is crucial in broadening the coverage of the reflection spectrum, which enables the generation of a wide range of colors, including green and red. The influence of laser parameters on the color of TFSB substrates and tested their durability in terms of time is analyzed. Finally, a color palette and made structural color patterns on TFSB by nanosecond pulsed laser are prepared. The proposed new scheme can be easily fabricated by magnetron sputtering without requiring additional procedures, which can open new perspectives in plasmonic colors. This work demonstrates that the promising potential of methods in creating a wide color gamut on metallic surfaces. Additionally, it serves as a means to store information for the preservation and protection of traditional cultures.

Numerical studies on lutetium isotopic selective photoionization based on a three-step ionization scheme

Numerical studies of lutetium selective photoionization have been carried out based on a three-step photoionization scheme, 5d6s2 2D3/2 → 5d6s6p4Fo5/2 → 5d6s7s4D3/2 → (53,375 cm−1)1/2 → Lu+, by the density matrix theory. Atomic hyperfine structures and magnetic sublevels are considered in our photoionization dynamics model. To examine the effectiveness of this model, the simulated 176Lu ion strengths are compared with the experimental results, and the simulated excitation cross sections of 176Lu excitation channels are compared with the analytical and experimental results. Semi-quantitative agreements are acquired for these two cases. On this basis, selective photoionization processes of two lutetium isotopes are simulated and discussed. Considering the ionization probability and abundance of target isotope, the 8.5-9.5-8.5 two-step excitation channel is optimal for 176Lu enrichment from natural lutetium. The influences of laser parameters and atomic Doppler broadening are presented numerically and optimization excitation conditions are identified. For the co-propagating excitation lasers, extra-narrow laser bandwidth (at the magnitude of 0.1 GHz) and atomic Doppler broadening (smaller than 0.3 GHz) is required. A new time-delayed configuration is proposed to implement multiple counter-propagating laser exposures for high target isotope abundance at the larger atomic Doppler broadening.

Experimental and Simulation Research on Femtosecond Laser Induced Controllable Morphology of Monocrystalline SiC.

Silicon carbide (SiC) is utilized in the automotive, semiconductor, and aerospace industries because of its desirable characteristics. Nevertheless, the traditional machining method induces surface microcracks, low geometrical precision, and severe tool wear due to the intrinsic high brittleness and hardness of SiC. Femtosecond laser processing as a high-precision machining method offers a new approach to SiC processing. However, during the process of femtosecond laser ablation, temperature redistribution and changes in geometrical morphology features are caused by alterations in carrier density. Therefore, the current study presented a multi-physics model that took carrier density alterations into account to more accurately predict the geometrical morphology for femtosecond laser ablating SiC. The transient nonlinear evolutions of the optical and physical characteristics of SiC irradiated by femtosecond laser were analyzed and the influence of laser parameters on the ablation morphology was studied. The femtosecond laser ablation experiments were performed, and the ablated surfaces were subsequently analyzed. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model can effectively predict the geometrical morphology. The predicted error of the ablation diameter is within the range from 0.15% to 7.44%. The predicted error of the ablation depth is within the range from 1.72% to 6.94%. This work can offer a new way to control the desired geometrical morphology of SiC in the automotive, semiconductor, and aerospace industries.

Multiphysics modeling and simulations of laser-sustained plasmas

Laser-sustained plasma (LSP), which can be utilized for a novel radiation light source, has advantages such as high irradiance, broad spectral range, and stable emission, demonstrating significant applications in wafer inspection in the field of the semiconductor industry. This paper revisits the historical development of LSP research and introduces fundamental physical processes in LSP. The mathematical description equations for LSP and methods of calculating plasma parameters are provided, thereby a time-dependent two-dimensional fluid model is established by taking into consideration a laser-thermal-hydrodynamic coupling effect. The propagation of the laser in plasma is investigated based on the established model, and the fundamental processes in LSP, including the initial evolution process, laser energy deposition, steady-state characteristics, and instability, are explored. The effectiveness of the simulation model is confirmed through comparing with the experimental results of high-pressure Xe LSP. The findings indicate that the mode, power, <i>F</i>-number of incident lasers, as well as parameters including components, pressure, and flow velocity of gas, can all affect the steady-state properties of LSPs. Under the identical power and <i>F-</i>number conditions, Gaussian mode laser and annular mode laser both produce LSPs with different shapes and positions. Notably, under the conditions of high-power annular laser incidence, large laser <i>F-</i>number, and high flow velocity, the simulation results reveal temporal and spatial instability in LSP. These simulation results contribute significantly to a more in-depth understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms of the LSP. Furthermore, they provide a theoretical basis for designing the light source system and optimizing the multiple parameters. The influence of laser parameters on LSP properties elucidated in this study not only advances the fundamental understanding of LSP but also offers crucial insights for designing and optimizing the light source systems in various applications, particularly in the field of optical detection for semiconductor wafer inspection.

Laser-induced graphene on cross-linked sodium alginate

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) possesses desirable properties for numerous applications. However, LIG formation on biocompatible substrates is needed to further augment the integration of LIG-based technologies into nanobiotechnology. Here, LIG formation on cross-linked sodium alginate is reported. The LIG is systematically investigated, providing a comprehensive understanding of the physicochemical characteristics of the material. Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques confirm the successful generation of oxidized graphene on the surface of cross-linked sodium alginate. The influence of laser parameters and the amount of crosslinker incorporated into the alginate substrate is explored, revealing that lower laser speed, higher resolution, and increased CaCl2 content leads to LIG with lower electrical resistance. These findings could have significant implications for the fabrication of LIG on alginate with tailored conductive properties, but they could also play a guiding role for LIG formation on other biocompatible substrates.

Printing of liquid metal by laser-induced thermal bubble at the liquid–liquid interface

The dynamics of bubbles near a liquid–liquid interface represent a complex multiphase problem with numerous potential applications. This paper utilizes pulsed laser-induced microbubbles at the liquid–liquid interface to achieve the multi-orifice ejection of liquid metal microdroplets that are challenging to achieve with traditional inkjet printing. The study combines the expansion and collapse processes of thermal bubbles at the two-phase liquid interface with the ejection process of liquid metal droplets, unveiling the underlying mechanisms of liquid metal droplet ejection. In this work, the influence of laser parameters on the behavior of thermal bubbles at the liquid–liquid interface and the double-peak pressure effect was investigated. The impact of laser parameters on the ejection behavior of liquid metal droplets was also examined, which provides theoretical support for the wide applications of bubble dynamics at the liquid–liquid interface in the field of liquid metal inkjet printing.

Development of a monochromatic crystal backlight imager for the recent double-cone ignition experiments

We developed a monochromatic crystal backlight imaging system for the double-cone ignition (DCI) scheme, employing a spherically bent quartz crystal. This system was used to measure the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of the head-on colliding plasma from the two compressing cones in the DCI experiments. The influence of laser parameters on the x-ray backlighter intensity and spatial resolution of the imaging system was investigated. The imaging system had a spatial resolution of 10 μm when employing a CCD detector. Experiments demonstrated that the system can obtain time-resolved radiographic images with high quality, enabling the precise measurement of the shape, size, and density distribution of the plasma.

Picosecond laser-induced evolution of processing properties of 4H–SiC

The irradiation threshold of 4H–SiC under picosecond laser action was calculated, and the influence of laser parameters on the size of 4H–SiC was studied. According to the model, the evolution rule of the microgroove size was predicted. The effect of laser parameters on the mechanical properties of 4H–SiC was studied by nanoindentation. The results show that the ablation threshold energy density of the picosecond laser on 4H–SiC is 2.67 J/cm2. The effect regular of laser parameters on the size of 4H–SiC microgrooves: energy density > scanning speed > scanning interval. The error of the microgroove which is between the predicted value and measurements is within 10 %. By doing nanoindentation detection, proving that Pop-in is the elastic-plastic transition point. It shows that laser irradiation has a significant modification effect on the mechanical properties of 4H–SiC. According to the difference range of elastic modulus and hardness, showing that the influence of laser energy density on mechanical properties is dominant. The consequences of the study provide a theoretical foundation for subsequent CMP processing.

Influence of laser parameters on the machining performance of textured cutting tools

Over the past three decades, surface texturing has garnered significant interest as a method of controlling friction and wear in tribological systems. Surface textures play a significant role in reducing friction under dry machining conditions by lowering adhesion, decreasing the effective area of contact, and collecting wear particles. However, the effect of various laser parameters on the machining performance of textured tools is still unclear. In this research study, linear textures have been fabricated on the rake surface of uncoated carbide tools using the Nd:YAG laser by varying the laser parameters. The effect of the laser parameters, such as fluence and the average number of pulses per surface spot has been evaluated in terms of depth of textures, resolidified layer, and change in substrate hardness. The textured tools have been further used for turning the pH 13–8 Mo SS (UNS S13800) alloy under dry and wet conditions. The machining outcome results obtained with the textured tools have been compared with the plain tool. The turning experiments showed that textured tools helped in improving the machining performance by reducing the cutting forces, cutting temperature, surface roughness, and tool wear. In this research work, the textured tools fabricated with the combination of fluence = 31.4 J/cm2 and pulses per surface spot = 5 pulses/surface spot have outperformed the other textured tools fabricated with the combination of different laser parameters in terms of machining performance.

Effect of Sonication and Ceria Doping on Nanoparticles Fabricated by Laser Marker Ablation of Ti in Water.

By employing the laser marker fast ablation technique in water, combined with the innovative inclusion of sonication, we successfully developed Ti-based nanoparticles with improved characteristics. sonication increased the nanoparticle concentration in the colloid, reduced nanoparticle size, and also narrowed size distribution. Our findings also provide valuable insights into the influence of laser parameters, such as wavelength and fluence, on nanoparticle properties. UV laser led to small nanoparticles compared with 1064 nm laser. Additionally, high laser fluence appeared to increase the ablated particle size until a plateau fluence at 28.5 J/cm2; at 38 J/cm2, the particle size decreased. Notably, all synthesized particles exhibited a regular spherical shape, as confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping, which also indicated that the majority of Ti-based particles were in an oxidized state. Additionally, the presence of rutile TiO2 in the particles was further confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Ceria doping Titania nanoparticles was also attempted.

Polarization-dependent orientation of LiNbO3:Eu3+ nanocrystals using ultrashort laser pulses in borosilicate glasses

Femtosecond (fs) laser writing is a flexible way to induce three-dimensional local structural modifications inside glass materials, such as crystallization. The latter is a function of both glass composition, hence properties, and laser parameters. Previous works have shown that a glass composition of 33Li2O–33Nb2O5–13SiO2–21B2O3 (LNSB) mol% yields to crystallization of laser polarization orientable LiNbO3 nanocrystals upon irradiation with a 1,030 nm fs laser. In this paper, we present the effects of rare earth incorporation in the glass composition [i.e., europium (0.5, 1, and 2 mol%)] on the crystallization process of LiNbO3 nanocrystals induced by fs laser irradiation. The embedding of Eu3+ ions into these nanostructures has an interest in developing new integrated and miniaturized optical lasers and amplifiers in visible wavelengths. The influence of laser parameters, such as repetition rate (RR), pulse energy, and polarization, has been studied. Irradiated areas are investigated using optical and electron microscopy techniques. The effect of Eu3+ concentration on the crystallization behavior (crystal formation and morphology) is discussed, as Eu2O3 is not acting as a nucleation agent in LNSB glass up to 2 mol%.

Superhydrophobic aluminum surfaces with nano-micro hierarchical composite structures: A novel and sustainable approach to corrosion protection

The unique properties of aluminum (Al) and its alloys make Al one of the most versatile, economical, and widely-used materials in various industries. However, the corrosion and leaching of Al can cause significant issues for the lifetimes of mechanical structures and machine components as well as environment and health problems. In the present study, a simple, eco-friendly, and rapid fabrication of superhydrophobic Al surfaces was introduced. The superhydrophobic Al surfaces with hierarchical composite structures combining microstructures prepared by laser texturing, the new formation of pseudo-boehmite nanostructures prepared by boiling water treatment, and low surface energy prepared by silicone oil heat treatment showed excellent corrosion resistance. The mechanism for wettability change and anti-corrosion were analyzed. The influence of laser parameters and surface modification procedures on the wettability and corrosion resistance of Al surfaces was also analyzed systematically through a series of surface characterization techniques, potentiodynamic polarization tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. The corrosion protection efficiency of the fabricated superhydrophobic Al surface has reached up to 99.40 % as compared with an untreated flat surface. Furthermore, the fabricated superhydrophobic surfaces show good stability even after prolonged exposure to air, fresh water, seawater, and high temperature environments. The performance of the non-wetting surfaces is demonstrated through self-cleaning, water jetting, and water droplet bouncing phenomena. This research provides a novel and sustainable approach for superhydrophobic metal surfaces and improved corrosion resistance for potential practical applications.

Editorial for Special Issue of Field‐assisted Materials Processing: Recent Innovations and Microstructural Evolution

Materials processing, an important branch of materials science and engineering, converts raw materials into practical materials and their products for technological applications. These processing methods are developed to satisfy the service needs based on sound scientific theory. Different processing conditions confer practical materials with controllable microstructures and thus specific mechanical and functional properties. Therefore, developing novel processing methods and exploring the interaction between microstructure and properties under different processing conditions have received much attention in the scientific community, especially in recent years. With the rapid progress of modern science and technology, novel materials processing technologies involve the coupling of multi-physics field, including temperature, stress, electric field, magnetic field, gravity, ultrasonic field, microwave field, etc. The multi-physics field can give rise to some unique thermodynamic and kinetic behaviors during materials processing and thus lead to novel microstructures, such as refined grains, bimodal/multi-modal microstructure, heterogeneous microstructure, etc. Thus, the field-assisted materials processing technology is considered a revolutionary method to fabricate competitive high-performance practical materials. A large and wide group of researchers have been engaged in the study of multi-physics field-assisted materials processing technology and produced remarkable results. The current special issue of Field-assisted Materials Processing: Recent Innovations and Microstructural Evolution collects 28 original research articles and reviews on recent developments in metallurgy and materials, especially in field-assisted materials processing. These articles are representative of some cutting-edge results around the world, with contributions from different countries across the globe. To be specific, laser additive manufacturing coupling temperature and laser field is capable of producing complex products with high efficiency and high precision by high energy and highly focused laser heat source. The influence of laser parameters on associated microstructure evolution and properties during laser additive manufacturing is explored in pure Cu (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2021, 2101138), high-entropy alloys (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2200131), 316L stainless steel (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2200641), Inconel alloy (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2200492), and NiTi shape memory alloys (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2200504). Spark plasma sintering, which couples temperature-stress-electric field as an integral, is used to fabricate tungsten alloys (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2200615), Zr-based amorphous alloys (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2200557), Al-based composites and Ti-Zr-Ni alloys (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2200327) for enhancing the properties and elucidating the densification mechanisms. Furthermore, magnetic field is the most widely applied energy field among the field-assisted processing methods because of the low cost, convenience and special magnetic effects. Li et. al prepared SmCo-based thin films by magnetic field-assisted magnetron sputtering and the grain refinement under the external magnetic field has largely increased the coercivity (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2101456). Also, Xu et. al. (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2200682) summarized the application and influence of magnetic field in various welding techniques, and especially, the effects of the Lorentz force on the arc, molten pool, and dendrite solidification are clarified. In addition, electric field is also utilized to improve the productivity and efficiency of the manufacturing process. Izadpanah et. al (Adv. Eng. Mater. 2022, 2200425) reviewed the investigations on the influence of electrical current parameters on the forming ability, especially through computer simulation approaches, aiming to reach consensus on the underlying mechanisms of the electric effect on formability. This special issue presents some recent developments and achievements in materials science and processing engineering and is helpful to further promote the innovation of scientific research in related fields. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the authors of the articles and the editorial staff of Advanced Engineering Materials for producing excellent articles and highly efficient editorial help. We anticipate that more creative attempts on various energy fields-assisted processing techniques and in-depth studies on the effects of multi-physics field on microstructure evolution and associated properties can be expected in the near future.

Color visual art creation on metals via multifunctional laser paintbrush

As laser technology has gradually been integrated into our life, it serves as a promising tool for artistic creation. By means of advanced science and technology in this field, we expect to improve the design of traditional arts and crafts to an innovative level. In this paper, we presented a multifunctional laser paintbrush for creating traditional artistic pictures on metallic surface. We demonstrated that our laser paintbrush has three basic functions: coloring, erasing and rewriting. Firstly, the process of laser-induced coloration on titanium surface were investigated experimentally and theoretically. Then, the influences of laser parameters on laser-induced coloration were quantitatively evaluated and this color durability in terms of time, chemical and environmental resistance was examined. Moreover, we proposed using ultrafast pulsed laser to selectively erase the colored areas in ethanol and nitrogen atmosphere. We found that our laser paintbrush had high erasing quality on the colored surface. Rewriting in the erased fields can increase the saturation and lightness of colors. Finally, with this multifunctional laser paintbrush, we successfully created traditional artistic pictures with different colors on metals with this multifunctional laser paintbrush.

Enhancing the machinability of Cf/SiC composite with the assistance of laser-induced oxidation during milling

Carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide matrix (Cf/SiC) composites have been widely used in aerospace for its superior properties. However, due to high hardness, heterogeneity, and anisotropy, many problems such as machining damage, low process efficiency, and rapid tool wear are encountered in machining Cf/SiC composite. In this study, laser-induced oxidation-assisted milling (LOAM), as novel hybrid machining process, was proposed to enhance machinability of Cf/SiC composites. Pulsed laser was used to induce reaction between Cf/SiC composites and oxygen. Easily removable loose and porous oxides were produced, which were simultaneously removed with milling tool, leading to improved material removal rate and tool life. Oxidation mechanisms and influences of laser parameters on oxidation behavior of Cf/SiC composite were studied. Conventional milling (CONV) without the assistance of laser was also performed on Cf/SiC composite for comparative analysis. Milling force, tool wear, and surface quality were studied in detail. Under laser irradiation, Cf/SiC composite was modified into metamorphic-layer that consisted of oxide layer and transition layer. Material irradiated with laser got melted, vaporized, and then reacted with oxygen, producing oxide. Oxide layer was formed due to the accumulation of oxide. Increasing laser energy density boosted oxidation reaction and increased the thickness of oxide layer. In contrast, increase in laser scanning speed decreased thickness of oxide layer. Results show that cutting force was extremely low and no tool wear occurred during milling oxide layer, indicating significant enhancement in machinability. Abrasive wear mainly occurred on flank face when milling transition layer. Surface damages, for instance fiber fracture and matrix fragmentation, were significantly contained by LOAM. Surface roughness Sa obtained via LOAM was 9.5 μm, which was lower than that obtained by CONV (35 μm). This study indicates that LOAM can achieve high-efficiency processing, low-defect surface, and prolonged tool life when machining Cf/SiC composite.

Experimental and numerical investigation of laser-assisted electrodeposition based on amorphous forming: Laser-electrodeposition correlation and explanation of enhancing mechanism

In this study, the laser parameters including laser power, scanning rate, scanning line distance, pulse width, frequency, and scanning area were used as the influencing factors, and the temperature, current density, and force impact effect were used as the response indexes to discuss the correlation between laser irradiation and electrochemical deposition (ECD) amorphous-forming process. The results show that in the preparation area ranges of 5 × 5, 10 × 10, and 20 × 20 mm, the laser power, scanning rate, and scanning line distance are the most significant parameters affecting the ECD process performance. The laser power affects the rising range and vibration amplitude of the current density, whereas the scanning rate and line distance influence the rising range, vibration amplitude, and variation period. The current density and force signal change periodically and stably over the suitable processing range. Compared with ECD NiP coating, the comprehensive performance of the coating prepared by the representative parameters selected according to the optimized parameter range are better. This study can provide ideas for the parameter optimization of the laser-enhanced ECD for different materials and processing sizes. In the future work, the influence of laser parameters on the ECD reduction process from a microscopic perspective will be discussed for establishing the correlation between laser parameters and coating performance. Moreover, the periodic current waveform formed by the laser is expected to prepare multilayer gradient structures with alternating grain sizes.

A Review of Effects of Femtosecond Laser Parameters on Metal Surface Properties

As a laser technology, the femtosecond laser is used in biomedical fields due to its excellent performance—its ultrashort pulses, high instantaneous power, and high precision. As a surface treatment process, the femtosecond laser can prepare different shapes on metal surfaces to enhance the material’s properties, such as its wear resistance, wetting, biocompatibility, etc. Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) are a common phenomenon that can be observed on almost any material after irradiation by a linearly polarized laser. In this paper, the current research state of LIPSSs in the field of biomedicine is reviewed. The influence of laser parameters (such as laser energy, pulse number, polarization state, and pulse duration) on the generation of LIPSSs is discussed. In this paper, the applications of LIPSSs by femtosecond laser modification for various purposes, such as in functional surfaces, the control of surface wettability, the surface colonization of cells, and the improvement of tribological properties of surfaces, are reviewed.

Influence of Laser Additive Manufacturing and Laser Polishing on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Maraging Steel Metal Materials

To increase the surface quality of the high-strength maraging steel metal materials, a new method of executing the additive manufacturing process and subtraction polishing process of maraging steel metal materials was studied. The mechanical properties of maraging steel metal materials before and after laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) polishing were compared and analyzed. The influence of laser parameters on the formability of high-strength MS metal materials was studied, with MS additive parts successfully prepared. The initial surfaces had roughness values of 6.198–7.92 μm. The metal additive manufacturing parts were polished with double laser beams. Confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to obtain the microstructure and phase composition of the microstructures. The microhardness of high-strength maraging forming parts by using a microhardness tester and the mechanical properties were analyzed. The results showed that the surface roughness was considerably reduced to lengthen the service life of the high-strength MS metal materials from an initial roughness of Sa = 6.3 μm to Sa = 0.98 μm, with the surface hardness increased and the martensite content decreased after using double-laser-beam polishing.