Nanosecond pulsed fiber laser ablation of SiC_p/Al composite materials

The possibility of using nanosecond pulsed laser ablation of aluminium matrix composite reinforced with SiC ceramic particles under the assistance of high pressure gas is investigated. The results indicate that the ablation depth increases with the increase of pulse energy. It is very difficult to find the isolate SiC particle on the ablated surface due to the occurrence of complicated metallurgical reaction during the ablation process. The Al, Si, C, and O elements within the re-solidified layers have a relatively uniform distribution, and the thickness and surface roughness of the re-solidified layers increase with the increase of pulse energy, which presents a tendency of saturation. The mechanical action of high pressure co-axial gas is the key mechanism of material removal.