MODIFICATION OF METALS BY HIGH-ENERGY EXCIMER-LASER

Metallic samples, such as aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, steels, were irradiated with an excimer laser at a wavelength of 248 nm. Changes in the mechanical properties of these samples and some potential applications for the industry, were discussed. The final roughness of a metallic sample was controlled by changing the incident fluence and the number of pulses while the tensile residual stress field induced on the surface due to thermal effects were also taken into account for eventual industrial applications.