Metal Surface Treatment and Reduction in Pitting Corrosion of 304L Stainless Steel by Excimer Laser

Abstract
The use of excimer lasers to produce thin rapidly quenched melts on metal surfaces is discussed. Results obtained using a XeCl laser on a variety of metal samples are given. The surface refinement and smoothing induced by laser treatment, giving improved resistance to pitting corrosion and higher etch resistance suggest significant potential for this method as a means of ‘micro-engineering’ surfaces.