Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Surface polishing of additively manufactured Ti6Al4V titanium alloy by using a nanosecond pulse laser

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several studies have found that the laser polishing process is exceptionally effective in smoothing metal surfaces with an initial roughness of less than 10 μm. However, the laser polishing performance for the surfaces of additively manufactured parts having different levels of morphology and roughness greater than 10 μm has not been comprehensively investigated. This paper therefore aims to unveil the viability of the laser polishing process for smoothing the additively manufactured surfaces possessing different degrees of morphologies and initial roughness. Three-dimensional printed sample and shot-peened Ti6Al4V titanium alloy sheets having various levels of surface roughness were polished by a nanosecond pulse laser under different processing conditions. Three experimental sets were performed to investigate the effects of initial surface roughness, laser scanning speed, laser pulse repetition rate, number of scanning passes, and flow rate of argon gas on the roughness and morphology of the polished surface. A smooth surface was achievable by using slow laser scanning speed, high laser pulse repetition rate, and multiple-scanning passes. Besides the initial roughness, the improvement was substantially subject to the initial surface morphology. The roughness of the laser-polished surface was improved by up to 73% when a suitable polishing condition was applied. The findings of this study have provided better insight into the laser polishing process and its ability to smooth the rough 3D-printed surfaces. The post-processing of additively manufactured parts, whose surface roughness is a critical concern, will benefit from the laser polishing guidelines suggested in this study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lamikiz A, Sánchez JA, López de Lacalle LN, Arana JL (2007) Laser polishing of parts built up by selective laser sintering. Int J Mach Tools Manuf 47(12):2040–2050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2007.01.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Cherry JA, Davies HM, Mehmood S, Lavery NP, Brown SGR, Sienz J (2015) Investigation into the effect of process parameters on microstructural and physical properties of 316L stainless steel parts by selective laser melting. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 76(5):869–879. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-014-6297-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Chen L, Richter B, Zhang X, Ren X, Pfefferkorn FE (2020) Modification of surface characteristics and electrochemical corrosion behavior of laser powder bed fused stainless-steel 316L after laser polishing. Addit Manuf 32:101013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2019.101013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Obeidi MA, Mussatto A, Dogu MN, Sreenilayam SP, McCarthy E, Ahad IU, Keaveney S, Brabazon D (2022) Laser surface polishing of Ti-6Al-4V parts manufactured by laser powder bed fusion. Surf Coat Technol 434:128179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2022.128179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Marimuthu S, Triantaphyllou A, Antar M, Wimpenny D, Morton H, Beard M (2015) Laser polishing of selective laser melted components. Int J Mach Tools Manuf 95:97–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2015.05.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ma CP, Guan YC, Zhou W (2017) Laser polishing of additive manufactured Ti alloys. Opt Lasers Eng 93:171–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlaseng.2017.02.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen C, Tsai HL (2018) Fundamental study of the bulge structure generated in laser polishing process. Opt Lasers Eng 107:54–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlaseng.2018.03.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bhaduri D, Ghara T, Penchev P, Paul S, Pruncu CI, Dimov S, Morgan D (2021) Pulsed laser polishing of selective laser melted aluminium alloy parts. Appl Surf Sci 558:149887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2021.149887

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wang WJ, Yung KC, Choy HS, Xiao TY, Cai ZX (2018) Effects of laser polishing on surface microstructure and corrosion resistance of additive manufactured CoCr alloys. Appl Surf Sci 443:167–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2018.02.246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Zhihao F, Libin L, Longfei C, Yingchun G (2018) Laser polishing of additive manufactured superalloy. Procedia CIRP 71:150–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2018.05.088

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Liang C, Hu Y, Liu N, Zou X, Wang H, Zhang X, Fu Y, Hu J (2020) Laser polishing of Ti6Al4V fabricated by selective laser melting. Metals 10 (2). https://doi.org/10.3390/met10020191

  12. Yang L, Patel KV, Jarosz K, Özel T (2020) Surface integrity induced in machining additively fabricated nickel alloy Inconel 625. Procedia CIRP 87:351–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2020.02.104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Sen C, Subasi L, Ozaner OC, Orhangul A (2020) The effect of milling parameters on surface properties of additively manufactured inconel 939. Procedia CIRP 87:31–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2020.02.072

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Basha SM, Bhuyan M, Basha MM, Venkaiah N, Sankar MR (2020) Laser polishing of 3D printed metallic components: a review on surface integrity. Mater Today: Proc 26:2047–2054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.02.443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Park S-H, Liu P, Yi K, Choi G, Jhang K-Y, Sohn H (2021) Mechanical properties estimation of additively manufactured metal components using femtosecond laser ultrasonics and laser polishing. Int J Mach Tools Manuf 166:103745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2021.103745

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Pfefferkorn FE, Duffie NA, Li X, Vadali M, Ma C (2013) Improving surface finish in pulsed laser micro polishing using thermocapillary flow. CIRP Ann 62(1):203–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirp.2013.03.112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ukar E, Lamikiz A, Lacalle L, Martínez S, Liebana F, Tabernero I (2010) Thermal model with phase change for process parameter determination in laser surface processing. Phys Procedia 5, Part B:395–403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phpro.2010.08.066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Xu J, Zou P, Wang W, Kang D (2021) Study on the mechanism of surface topography evolution in melting and transition regimes of laser polishing. Opt Laser Technol 139:106947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2021.106947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Bhaduri D, Penchev P, Batal A, Dimov S, Soo SL, Sten S, Harrysson U, Zhang Z, Dong H (2017) Laser polishing of 3D printed mesoscale components. Appl Surf Sci 405:29–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.01.211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Yung KC, Xiao TY, Choy HS, Wang WJ, Cai ZX (2018) Laser polishing of additive manufactured CoCr alloy components with complex surface geometry. J Mater Process Technol 262:53–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2018.06.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. dos Santos SJ, Jürgen Seifert H, Pfleging W (2018) Laser surface modification and polishing of additive manufactured metallic parts. Procedia CIRP 74:280–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2018.08.111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhou J, Liao C, Shen H, Ding X (2019) Surface and property characterization of laser polished Ti6Al4V. Surf Coat Technol 380:125016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2019.125016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Dai W, Li J, Zhang W, Zheng Z (2019) Evaluation of fluences and surface characteristics in laser polishing SKD 11 tool steel. J Mater Process Technol 273:116241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2019.05.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Hafiz AMK, Bordatchev EV, Tutunea-Fatan RO (2012) Influence of overlap between the laser beam tracks on surface quality in laser polishing of AISI H13 tool steel. J Manuf Process 14(4):425–434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmapro.2012.09.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. De Giorgi C, Furlan V, Demir AG, Tallarita E, Candiani G, Previtali B (2016) Laser micro-polishing of stainless steel for antibacterial surface applications. Procedia CIRP 49:88–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2015.07.055

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Nesli S, Yilmaz O (2021) Surface characteristics of laser polished Ti-6Al-4V parts produced by electron beam melting additive manufacturing process. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 114(1):271–289. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-06861-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Chen Y-D, Tsai W-J, Liu S-H, Horng J-B (2018) Picosecond laser pulse polishing of ASP23 steel. Opt Laser Technol 107:180–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2018.05.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Kibria G, Doloi B, Bhattacharyya B (2014) Investigation into the effect of overlap factors and process parameters on surface roughness and machined depth during micro-turning process with Nd:YAG laser. Opt Laser Technol 60:90–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2014.01.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Simoni F, Huxol A, Villmer F-J (2021) Improving surface quality in selective laser melting based tool making. J Intell Manuf 32(7):1927–1938. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-021-01744-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Liu X, Chu PK, Ding C (2004) Surface modification of titanium, titanium alloys, and related materials for biomedical applications. Mater Sci Eng R Rep 47(3):49–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mser.2004.11.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Grenadyorov AS, Solovyev AA, Oskomov KV, Onischenko SA, Chernyavskiy AM, Zhulkov MO, Kaichev VV (2020) Modifying the surface of a titanium alloy with an electron beam and a-C:H:SiOx coating deposition to reduce hemolysis in cardiac assist devices. Surf Coat Technol 381:125113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2019.125113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Janeček M, Nový F, Stráský J, Harcuba P, Wagner L (2011) Fatigue endurance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy with electro-eroded surface for improved bone in-growth. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 4(3):417–422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2010.12.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Dias CorpaTardelli J, Duarte Firmino AC, Ferreira I, Cândido dos Reis A (2022) Influence of the roughness of dental implants obtained by additive manufacturing on osteoblastic adhesion and proliferation: a systematic review. Heliyon 8(12):e12505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Mondal P, Das A, Wazeer A, Karmakar A (2022) Biomedical porous scaffold fabrication using additive manufacturing technique: porosity, surface roughness and process parameters optimization. Int J Lightweight Mater Manuf 5(3):384–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlmm.2022.04.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Le Guehennec L, Lopez-Heredia M-A, Enkel B, Weiss P, Amouriq Y, Layrolle P (2008) Osteoblastic cell behaviour on different titanium implant surfaces. Acta Biomater 4(3):535–543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2007.12.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Jaritngam P, Tangwarodomnukun V, Qi H, Dumkum C (2020) Surface and subsurface characteristics of laser polished Ti6Al4V titanium alloy. Opt Laser Technol 126:106102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2020.106102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Bergström D, Powell J, Kaplan AFH (2008) The absorption of light by rough metal surfaces—a three-dimensional ray-tracing analysis. J Appl Phys 103(10):103515. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2930808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Li J, Jin Y, Chang Y, Zuo D (2022) Finite element simulation and experimental study of single-laser track in laser polishing of Ti6Al4V. Int J Adv Manuf Technol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-022-09664-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Mohamed LZ, Abd Elmomen SS, El-Hadad S (2022) Influence of the oxidation behavior of Ti–6Al–4V alloy in dry air on the oxide layer microstructure. Chem Pap 76(3):1627–1638. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-021-01976-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Giorleo L, Ceretti E, Giardini C (2015) Ti surface laser polishing: effect of laser path and assist gas. Procedia CIRP 33:446–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2015.06.102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Mills KC (2002) Recommended values of thermophysical properties for selected commercial alloys. Woodhead Publ. https://doi.org/10.1533/9781845690144.18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Zhou J, Shen H, Lin Y, Liao C, Yu Q (2022) Microstructural evolution during multiple scans in laser polishing of Ti6Al4V. J Manuf Process 75:1202–1216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmapro.2022.01.072

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Patcharapit Promoppatum for providing the 3D-printed sample examined in this study.

Funding

The authors received support from the Thailand Research Fund through the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program (Grant No. PHD/0200/2561); National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2021YFE0110300); and Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) under Fundamental Fund 2023 (Project: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing for Applications in New S-curve Industries)”.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, 10140, Thailand

    Pakin Jaritngam, Viboon Saetang & Chaiya Dumkum

  2. Key Laboratory of Special Purpose Equipment and Advanced Processing Technology, Ministry of Education & Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China

    Huan Qi

Authors
  1. Pakin Jaritngam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Viboon Saetang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Huan Qi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chaiya Dumkum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Pakin Jaritngam: methodology; investigation; formal analysis; validation; visualization; writing—original draft preparation. Viboon Saetang: conceptualization; methodology; investigation; formal analysis; validation; visualization; writing—review and editing; supervision. Huan Qi: validation; writing—review and editing. Chaiya Dumkum: validation; writing—review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Viboon Saetang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jaritngam, P., Saetang, V., Qi, H. et al. Surface polishing of additively manufactured Ti6Al4V titanium alloy by using a nanosecond pulse laser. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 127, 3463–3480 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-023-11722-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-023-11722-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation