# Study on the Microstructure Evolution and Ablation Mechanism of SiCp/Al Composites Processed by a Water-Jet Guided Laser

## TL;DR

This study examines how laser and water-jet parameters affect the microstructure and ablation of SiC-reinforced aluminum composites.

## Contribution

The novel aspect is the detailed analysis of thermal-mechanical coupling and chemical reactions during water-jet guided laser processing of SiCp/Al composites.

## Key findings

- Laser power increases microgroove depth from 154 μm to 492 μm and depth-to-width ratio from 2.45 to 6.62.
- Higher scanning speed reduces microgroove depth from 525.33 μm to 227.16 μm and depth-to-width ratio from 7.77 to 3.20.
- Water jet pressure increases depth from 312.29 μm to 362.39 μm and depth-to-width ratio from 4.38 to 5.77.

## Abstract

In this study, the influence of different process parameters on the macroscopic and microscopic morphology of the microgroove in the water-jet guided laser was studied. In addition, the microstructure evolution and material ablation mechanism of the microgroove were studied. The results show that with the increase in laser power, the depth of the microgroove increases from 154 μm to 492 μm, the width from 63 μm to 74 μm, and the depth-to-width ratio from 2.45 to 6.62; with the increase in scanning speed, the depth of the microgroove decreases from 525.33 μm to 227.16 μm, and the width from 67.61 μm to 71.02 μm, and the depth-to-width ratio from 7.77 to 3.20. With the increase in water jet pressure, the depth increases from 312.29 μm to 3.20. With the increase in water jet pressure, the depth increased from 312.29 μm to 362.39 μm, the width decreased from 71.59 μm to 62.78 μm, and the depth-to-width ratio increased from 4.38 to 5.77. In addition, the water guided laser processing of SiCp/Al composites produces thermal–mechanical coupling and chemical reaction synergies: the material melts and vaporizes under the action of a high-energy laser beam, and the SiC particles are oxidized and thermally decomposed at local high temperatures due to their high thermal stability.