Characterization of laser-induced surface structures of aluminum in an oxygen-free atmosphere
Procedia CIRP
Vol. 124
684-687
2024
Type: Zeitschriftenaufsatz (reviewed)
Abstract
Brazing of materials with high oxygen affinity, such as aluminum alloys, requires the removal of surface oxides. This is commonly achieved using chemical fluxes. The approach described here utilizes IR-pulsed laser radiation at a pulse duration of 45 ns to remove the oxide layer. To prevent reoxidation, an oxygen-free atmosphere is used by introducing monosilane (SiH4) into the process chamber, which binds the oxygen molecules. The laser-induced surface structuring that occurs during oxide removal of aluminum alloy EN AW-6082 was investigated. Pulse energies between 60 – 300 μJ and different pulse overlaps between 0 – 90 \% were analyzed for topography and roughness based on the process atmosphere. The results suggest that the roughness increases significantly only at 90 \% overlap. Additionally, laser structuring with high energy and overlap in the presence of O2 results in a porous surface layer, while in the absence of O 2, it leads to pillar formation with higher roughness.