Machining characteristics of mold steel by picosecond pulsed laser ablation

Abstract

In this study, laser ablation using picosecond pulses was proposed as a new surface processing method for mold steels. Using ultrashort pulse laser can minimize heat-affected zones (HAZ) and process complicated shapes. A typical mold steel, STAVAX, was irradiated by a picosecond pulsed laser with changeable pulse width under various conditions, and the characteristics of surface generation was investigated using a scanning electron microscope. The critical conditions for laser ablation with high surface integrity were experimentally found.