Laser-based surface smoothing and subsequently interference patterning of additive manufactured materials to influence their wetting behavior

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes enable the fabrication of complex three dimensional lightweight parts in a simple way, making these technologies attractive and viable for a wide range of applications in industrial sectors such as aerospace and medical industry. However, it is well known that surfaces of AM components have a relative high roughness level, which can limit their applicability in industrial fields. This study describes the surface modification of AM parts by Direct Laser Writing (DLW) and Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP) to improve the surface quality of additive manufactured specimens made of Titanium 6Al 4V (Ti64) and an Al-Mg-Sc based alloy (Scalmalloy (R)). The experiments are carried out with an Ytterbium fiber laser and a Nd:YVO4 solid-state laser for DLW and DLIP process, respectively. The DLW laser process enabled the reduction of the initial surface roughness as well as facilitating the fabrication of defined periodical textures with feature sizes in the micrometer range, implemented by DLIP. These textures permitted to control the wettability of the surfaces. The laser treated and non-processed parts are characterized using White Light Interferometry (WLI), Confocal Microscopy (CM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the wettability behavior was analyzed through long-term water contact angle measurements over a period of 50 days.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLaser-based Micro- and Nanoprocessing XVI
EditorsAkira Watanabe, Rainer Kling
Number of pages6
ISBN (electronic)9781510648494
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

Publication series

SeriesProceedings of Spie
Volume11989
ISSN0277-786X

Conference

TitleConference on Laser-Based Micro- and Nanoprocessing XVI
Conference number16
Descriptionphysical event: 22–27 January 2022
online event: 20–24 February 2022
Duration22 January - 27 February 2022
LocationMoscone Center
CitySan Francisco
CountryUnited States of America

External IDs

Scopus 85131220117
ORCID /0000-0003-4333-4636/work/196675466

Keywords

Keywords

  • Al-Mg-Sc (Scalmalloy (R)), Direct Laser Interference Patterning, Direct Laser Writing, Surface smoothing, Titanium 6Al 4V, Wettability control, Al-Mg-Sc (Scalmalloy®), surface smoothing, wettability control