The theoretical and experimental study of some metals heating and melting under the action of laser radiation

This study presents theoretical and experimental results on the laser irradiation of some metals (titanium, nickel, aluminium, copper, steel), using an Nd:YAG laser. The theoretical study involves the solving of heat equation for half-infinite targets. The determination of the temperature at the surface of the irradiated material allows quantitative estimations regarding the induced thermo deformation and the involved phase transition, in our case, the melting. The confrontation with experience is achieved through the comparison of the thermo deformation sizes and obtained craters and of the others related parameters with the direct microscopically measurements. The calculated values are in proper correlation with the experimental ones, the observed differences having as major cause the insufficiently precise knowledge of the involved physical values of observables, at high reached temperatures on the irradiated surfaces.