Producing Surface Features with a 200 W Yb-fibre Laser and the Surfi-Sculpt® Process

Surface features have the potential to be used in numerous applications to enhance the functional properties of materials; for example, to increase heat transfer in metallic heat exchangers. The feasibility of producing surface features with a 200 W Yb-fibre laser and the Surfi-Sculpt (R) process is reported here. A range of surface features have been produced in various metallic materials, and the effects of several key process parameters on the resulting feature shape have been investigated. The results are encouraging for a number of industry sectors where electron beam machines and high-powered laser sources are cost prohibitive.