Laser beam polishing
Laser polishing is a thermal micro-melting of the top surface layer using laser radiation to reduce micro-roughness. Smoothing happens through surface tension in the liquid state.
Physicochemical Mechanism of Action
The laser polishing process uses the energy of a high-intensity laser beam to melt a thin layer of the material surface. This process is called thermal micro-remelting. The surface is brought into a liquid state and smoothed at the same time by the tension between the liquid and solid phase.
Metallurgical Relevance & Welding Risks
Reducing the micro-roughness improves the surface finish and leads to better weld quality. Poorly executed polishing, however, can lead to uneven surface treatment or over-polishing, which can damage the material. It is important to control the laser's energy settings and the travel speed precisely.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
To carry out laser polishing successfully, keep these steps in mind:
• Energy setting: The laser energy should be set so only the top edge layer is melted. Too high energy leads to over-polishing and surface damage.
• Travel speed: The travel speed of the laser beam should be kept constant to ensure even polishing. Movements that are too fast or too slow can cause uneven results.
• Safety measures: When working with lasers, suitable protective clothing and eye protection are essential to avoid damage from the laser beam.