Mathematical modelling of the fibre laser surface processing of a zirconia engineering ceramic by means of three-dimensional finite-element analysis

Abstract

DOI: 10.1243/09544062JMES2434Abstract: The thermal effects of fibre laser surface treatment on a ZrO 2 engineering ceramic were studied using a computational finite-element model (FEM). Temperature increases on the surface and the bulk of the ZrO 2 during the fibre laser processing were measured using an infra-red thermometer and specifically located thermocouples. The results showed an error of 5 per cent with the surface and 18 per cent within the bulk of the ZrO 2 when comparing the experimental readings with those of the FEM. The FEM revealed a relationship between the traverse speed, power density, time, depth, and the temperature during various stages of the fibre laser surface treatment of the ZrO 2 . By utilizing data obtained from a thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), the FEM predictions of the temperature distribution were used to map phase transformations and significant events occurring during the fibre laser surface treatment of the ZrO 2 . The mapping revealed that the fibre laser surface treatment generally resulted in a phase transformation of the ZrO 2 at various temperatures changes as further shown in the article.

Role of laser beam radiance in different ceramic processing: A two wavelengths comparison

“…This was due to the laser-ZrO2 processing temperature at the near surface layer being somewhat higher than the sub-surface and the bulk of the ceramic. This could also be confirmed from a previous investigations [26,27]. As shown in Figure 6 The microstructure of the Nd 3+ :YAG laser engineered surface in comparison to the asreceived surface was reasonably modified (see Figure 7 (a) and (b)).…”

Characterization and modification of technical ceramics through laser surface engineering

“…For the ZrO 2 technical ceramic, at 700-800 C a possible phase change could be postulated where a mixture of monoclinic plus tetragonal phase generally occurs [60]. At 1290 C a further phase transformation of monoclinic to tetragonal would result.…”

Laser additive manufacturing of bulk and powder ceramic materials: mathematical modeling with experimental correlations

“…During the several stages of the fiber laser surface treatment of ZrO 2 , the FE model revealed a correlation between laser scanning speed, energy density, time, depth and temperature. The FE-model predictions of the temperature distribution were used to identify phase transformation and key events occurring during the fiber laser surface treatment (Shukla and Lawrence, 2011a). Li et al (2004) constructed a 3D numerical model for a convection-diffusion phase transition process during laser melting of ceramics.…”