Laser texturing of Inconel 718 alloy surface: Influence of environmental dust in humid air ambient

Laser texturing of Inconel 718 alloy surface under high nitrogen gas pressure is considered and the resulting surface morphology and wetting state are examined. Analytical tools are used to characterize the laser textured surface. Environmental dust particles and liquid solution formed from the water condensate on the dust particles in humid air ambient are analyzed. The tangential force required to remove the dried liquid solution from the laser textured and as received surfaces are measured incorporating the micro-tribomoter. It is found that laser treatment results in micro/nano size pillars on the textured surface and forms nitride compounds on the surface. This, in turn, modifies the wetting state of the workpiece surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. A liquid solution is formed due to the dissolution of alkaline and alkaline earth metals of the dust particles into the water condensate in humid air ambient. The liquid solution has high pH and forms different sizes of crystals on the surface upon drying. The liquid solution spreads on the textured surface while forming a film. It adheres strongly to the surface upon drying; in which case, the tangential force required removing the dried liquid from the surface remains high, which is more pronounced for the as receive surfaces.