53
Contemporary Machining Processes
substrate surface and nanoscale pits on a glass surface can be machined with a femtosecond laser (Zhou et al., 2007). Femtosecond laser direct writing has been recently
recognized as a promising nanomachining technique able to solve problems of 3D
architecting, otherwise impossible. It demonstrates a unique three-dimensional processing capability, arbitrary-shape designability, and high fabricating accuracy up to
tens of nanometers, far beyond the optical diffraction, that are desirable in various
scientific and industrial fields (Zhang et al., 2010).
Potential of the laser micro- and nanomachining is closely connected with
development of microelectronic industry and increasing investment in healthcare
technologies.
1.10.3 laser surface TreaTmenT
Laser surface treatment of materials has become an important technique with a
potential to enhance various properties of different material surface layer, such as
surface strength, hardness, roughness, coefficient of friction, and chemical and corrosion resistance (Shukla and Lawrence, 2015). Such improvements are good solutions not only for applications under high wear rates and shear stresses but could
also be used for maintaining or elongating a component’s functional life by means
of covering microcracks in surfaces, e.g., in technical ceramic-based components.
In addition, appearance can also be improved, especially in the case of ceramics, by
creating a modified surface layer (Shukla and Lawrence, 2015).
Laser surface treatment is a thermal process superior to conventional furnace
heat treatment. It is based on heating caused by light adsorption of a surface layer
and cooling ensured by high conductivity of a material. The adsorbed laser energy
results in a thin surface layer with desired properties while the bulk of the material
is unaffected (Muresan, 2015). Commonly recognized advantages of laser surfacing
are as follows (Steen, 2003):
• Chemical cleanliness
• Controlled thermal penetration and therefore distortion
• Controlled thermal profile and therefore shape and location of a heataffected region
• Less after-machining, if any, is required
• Remote non-contact processing is usually possible
• Relatively easy to automate
Application of lasers to surface treatment includes the following (Steen, 2003):
• Surface heating for transformation hardening or annealing
• Surface melting for homogenization, microstructure refinement generation
of rapid solidification structures and surface sealing
• Surface alloying for improvement of corrosion, wear, or cosmetic properties
• Surface cladding for similar reasons as well as changing thermal properties
such as melting point or thermal conductivity
Contemporary Machining Processes
substrate surface and nanoscale pits on a glass surface can be machined with a femtosecond laser (Zhou et al., 2007). Femtosecond laser direct writing has been recently
recognized as a promising nanomachining technique able to solve problems of 3D
architecting, otherwise impossible. It demonstrates a unique three-dimensional processing capability, arbitrary-shape designability, and high fabricating accuracy up to
tens of nanometers, far beyond the optical diffraction, that are desirable in various
scientific and industrial fields (Zhang et al., 2010).
Potential of the laser micro- and nanomachining is closely connected with
development of microelectronic industry and increasing investment in healthcare
technologies.
1.10.3 laser surface TreaTmenT
Laser surface treatment of materials has become an important technique with a
potential to enhance various properties of different material surface layer, such as
surface strength, hardness, roughness, coefficient of friction, and chemical and corrosion resistance (Shukla and Lawrence, 2015). Such improvements are good solutions not only for applications under high wear rates and shear stresses but could
also be used for maintaining or elongating a component’s functional life by means
of covering microcracks in surfaces, e.g., in technical ceramic-based components.
In addition, appearance can also be improved, especially in the case of ceramics, by
creating a modified surface layer (Shukla and Lawrence, 2015).
Laser surface treatment is a thermal process superior to conventional furnace
heat treatment. It is based on heating caused by light adsorption of a surface layer
and cooling ensured by high conductivity of a material. The adsorbed laser energy
results in a thin surface layer with desired properties while the bulk of the material
is unaffected (Muresan, 2015). Commonly recognized advantages of laser surfacing
are as follows (Steen, 2003):
• Chemical cleanliness
• Controlled thermal penetration and therefore distortion
• Controlled thermal profile and therefore shape and location of a heataffected region
• Less after-machining, if any, is required
• Remote non-contact processing is usually possible
• Relatively easy to automate
Application of lasers to surface treatment includes the following (Steen, 2003):
• Surface heating for transformation hardening or annealing
• Surface melting for homogenization, microstructure refinement generation
of rapid solidification structures and surface sealing
• Surface alloying for improvement of corrosion, wear, or cosmetic properties
• Surface cladding for similar reasons as well as changing thermal properties
such as melting point or thermal conductivity