Ever since the Bronze Age, metals have been cast in different shapes for
different applications. Smooth surfaces that are resistant to corrosion
are crucial for many of the present-day uses of cast metals, ranging
from bio-implants to automotive parts. Yingchun Guan, from the A*STAR
Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) and her
co-workers have shown how different laser-processing methods improve
metal surfaces and protect them against corrosion1.
Laser processing involves scanning a high-intensity laser beam multiple times across the surface of a metal. Each scan by the laser beam ‘writes’ a track in the surface, which partially melts the metal. Consecutive tracks can overlap — the degree to which affects how well the melting caused by these tracks will smooth the surface of the metal. The scanning speed can also affect the surface melt.
Laser processing involves scanning a high-intensity laser beam multiple times across the surface of a metal. Each scan by the laser beam ‘writes’ a track in the surface, which partially melts the metal. Consecutive tracks can overlap — the degree to which affects how well the melting caused by these tracks will smooth the surface of the metal. The scanning speed can also affect the surface melt.