Exploring the Effects of Laser Surface Modification on AISI 301LN Steel: A Micro-Mechanical Study

Abstract

This article investigates the surface hardening capability of a metastable austenitic TRansformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) stainless steel, particularly on AISI 301LN, by laser texturing. This technology produces microstructural surface changes in terms of both phase transformation and grain size modification and, as a direct consequence, the laser influences the surface characteristics, mainly hardness and roughness. In this sense, the key parameters (laser power, scanning speed and position of the focal length) were investigated by using a Design of Experiments (DoE) in detail to better understand the correlation between texturing parameters, microstructural and mechanical changes, always at the superficial level. From all the aforementioned information, the results show that the maximum surface hardening is obtained by increasing the laser power and decreasing the scanning speed. Furthermore, by reducing the focal distance, the depth of the microstructural evolution layer is more significant, while the width is less affected. Finally, a suitable model was developed to correlate the processing parameters here investigated with the resulting surface integrity, in terms of mechanical properties, by means of a regression equation.

Capability Enhancing of CO2 Laser Cutting for PMMA Sheet Using Statistical Modeling and Optimization

“…The aim was to develop a mathematical model that accurately represented the relationship between the response and input variables with the least amount of error [25]. There are various Design of Experiments (DOE) methods available, depending on the type of input variable parameters studied [36]. The current study used Response Surface Methodology (RSM) as the design method, which combines statistical methods and applied mathematics to analyze output variables that are influenced by multiple independent input variables.…”

Investigating the Effect of Nanosecond Laser Surface Texturing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AISI 301LN

“…Investigating key parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, and focal length position, the study reveals that maximum surface hardening is achieved by increasing laser power and decreasing scanning speed. A regression equation correlates processing parameters with resulting surface integrity, emphasizing the influence of laser patterning on mechanical properties [32]. Dywel et al have shown that LST using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser can significantly reduce the friction coefficient and wear rate in AISI 304 and 316 stainless steel [33].…”