Modern Laser Technology and Metallurgical Study on Laser Materials Processing

Laser has been called a "Quantum Machine" because of its mechanism of generation since the development on July 7,1960.by T.H.Maiman. We can now use this machine as a tool for manufacturing in industries. At present, 45kW CO2 laser, 10kW Nd:YAG laser, 6kW LD pumped YAG laser and 4kW direct diode laser facilities are available for welding a heavy steel plate of 40mm in thickness and for cutting metals at high speed of 140m/min. Laser Materials Processing is no longer a scientific curiosity but a modern tool in industries. Lasers in manufacturing sector are currently used in welding, cutting, drilling, cladding, marking, cleaning, micro-machining and forming. Recently, high power laser diode, 10kW LD pumped YAG laser, 700W fiber laser and excimer laser have been developed in the industrialized countries. As a result of large numbers of research and developments, the modem laser materials processing has been realized and used in all kinds of industries now. In the present paper, metallurgical studies on laser materials processing such as porosity formation, hot cracking and the joint performances of steels and aluminum alloys and dissimilar joint are discussed after the introduction of laser facilities and laser applications in industries such as automotive industry, electronics industry, and steel making industry. The wave towards the use of laser materials processing and its penetration into many industries has started in many countries now. Especially, development of high power/quality diode laser will be accelerate the introduction of this magnificent tool, because of the high efficiency of about 50%, long life time and compact.