Laser polishing of additive-manufactured Ti alloys and Ni alloys

High surface quality is challenging for additively manufactured metallic components due to the splashing of molten pool and bonding of powder. Laser polishing has been well recognized as a promising method to improve the surface quality of metallic parts by localized ablation and remelting. This chapter focuses on laser polishing of additively manufactured titanium alloys including laser melting deposition TC11 surface and selective laser melting (SLM) TC4 surface as well as selective laser melting Inconel 718 alloy. A numerical model is used to analyze the thermodynamics of the melted pool. The solidification microstructure evolution of the laser-polished surface is carefully examined, whereas the mechanical performance including the microhardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and tensile properties of the laser-polished surface is investigated. The presented method demonstrates the capability of laser polishing of additively manufactured metallic components for mass production.