Investigation into LST and its Novel Application in Mould

Abstract

Laser surface texturing (LST) technology that is firstly used in rollers, is a specialized surface engineering process capable of enhancing the surface material properties, wear resistance, fretting fatigue life and reducing friction. This practical technology of the LST process is based on a pulsating laser beam that, by material ablation, generates the optimum topographical surface. In order to exploit the full potential of the process, a great amount of research has explored from the material removal mechanics to the development of the LST process. This paper reports on the LST research involving the LST technology surveying process optimization, LST equipment and its industrial applications. The paper also highlights the forming theory describing the skin-pass process of transferring the textured roller’s surface structure onto the steel sheet, and the laser-matter interaction that occurs when and intense laser beam is tightly focused in the workpiece surface. It presents the influence of various factors affecting the textured workpiece performance together with the investigations into tribology of textured components. The paper also discusses these developments and some fundamental on future LST research.

Investigação sobr o uso da texturização a laser na preparação da superficie a ser recoberta em ferramentas de metal duro para fresamento

“…Durante o processo um feixe laser de alta intensidade é precisamente focado na superfície e, assim, no volume de interação laser-material é absorvida rapidamente uma grande quantidade de energia que de maneira quase instantânea produz a fusão da área envolvida. A poça de material fundido será então deformada pelas tensões na superfície e solidificará instantaneamente por causa da elevada taxa de dissipação de calor quando o feixe pulsado estiver na fase off (ver a Figura 4.1) [Wang et al, 2007].…”