Improvement of laser-induced damage thresholds of aluminum by using a unique electropolishing method

Abstract

Surfaces of polycrystalline Al samples were treated by using electropolishing, etching or mechanical polishing methods. Surface morphologies, laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDTs) and ejected particle numbers of different samples were analyzed and compared. Results showed that several different surface morphologies of Al were prepared. A new surface electropolishing technique was developed and an improvement of 95% of LIDT of Al was obtained by using this method. Ejected particle numbers of different samples were monitored and compared to investigate their damage-resistant properties. The particle numbers ejected from the electropolished sample are much smaller than those of etched or mechanically polished samples under Q-switched 355-nm Nd:YAG laser irradiation at 6.8 ns pulses.

Effect of Process Parameters on the Roughness and Wetting Characteristics of SS304 Surfaces Using Electrolytic and Plasma Electrolytic Polishing Techniques

“…Also, EP is preferentially done using acidic electrolytes such as sulphuric acid, 13 phosphoric acid, 14 and hydrochloric acid. 15 The disposal of electrolytes used in EP is unsafe for the environment. Before performing EP, the samples require pre-cleaning by acid pickling in an ultrasonic bath.…”