The ultrastructural changes of the enamel surface occurring due to normal pulsed Nd-YAG laser irradiation were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The melted and recrystallized enamel in the lased enamel surface was observed. A coalescence of enamel globules was caused by 10 pulses of laser irradiation. In the case of excessively repeated irradiation (3 applications of 10 pulses), new particles of enamel crystal were produced which had a larger size than the original and measured about 0.2–1.0 μm in diameter. In some portions, large-sized hexagonal particles were also observed. In fractured surfaces of enamel, the shapes of the new particles of enamel crystal varied and included granules, needles and columns. The column structure had various appearances such as being well packed, along with piled granules and hollow columns, as well as having intercrystal or intracrystal voids. It was suggested that a distinctive polygonal column shape of more than 2 μm in length might be formed in the process of homogeneous melting at high temperatures followed by uniform cooling and contraction. The recrystallized layer demonstrated significant acid resistance but was a little fragile. These results greatly support the hypothesis that a larger crystal size may cause acid resistance in enamel exposed to pulsed laser.
In order to apply aluminum alloys to structural components, they should be joined with sufficient strength and quality as high welding speed as possible. High-power laser welding is expected to achieve much higher productivity than conventional joining techniques. Welding of aluminum alloys was performed using 2-kW and 3-kW continuous wave Nd:YAG lasers. Two beams were delivered by optical cables 0.6 mm in diameter and focused on the surface of the specimens as dual spots. Overlap joints of 2-mm-thick sheets were made at various welding parameters, including beam distance, beam arrangement and welding speed. The quality of the bead, including its appearance and macrostructure, and the tensile strength of the joints were investigated. At a shorter beam distance of 0.36 mm, the weld bead surface was humped, making it unacceptable in terms of quality. Sound weld beads were obtained at beam distances of 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm. As the beam distance was increased, the weld depth became shallower. At a beam distance of 1.0 mm, the weld area was too small to provide sufficient strength.
Aluminum alloys were welded using dual focus beams formed with two Nd:YAG lasers with the aim ofobtaining a stable welding process. The relationship between the configuration of the spot beams and the quality of the weld beads was investigated using X-ray and high-speed camera observations. The number ofpores was clearly related to the ratio of the keyhole depth to the keyhole opening. A larger keyhole opening and/or a shallower keyhole depth resulted in a smaller number of pores caused by instability of the weld pool. Based on the investigation, a car body component was welded with a dual focus beam system. The results show that aluminum car body panels can be welded stably at high speed with little distortion under optimum conditions.
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