The Study of the Structural, Morphological, and Mechanical Characteristics of the Laser-Irradiated Aluminium Targets

Abstract

Aluminium samples are irradiated using a continuous-wave diode laser in a laboratory environment to study the effect on its surface, structural, and mechanical properties. The exposed samples are investigated by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffractometer for the surface and structural morphology, respectively. The scanning electron microscopic analysis unveils the realization of micrometer grain size, exfoliational sputtering, and crater production. The diffractometric x-ray analysis reveals the grain size, d-spacing, and dislocation line density of the targeted samples. The hardness of the samples as a function of exposure time is investigated using the micro Vickers hardness tester to perceive the mechanical properties. An increase in micro-hardness is observed with the increase in the exposure time.

Keywords

• aluminium
• cw diode laser
• sem
• xrd
• vickers hardness test