Axisymmetric analytical solution for pulsed laser melting of metals

A semi-infinite axisymmetric model was established for Nd3+: YAG Gaussian pulsed laser melting of a metal slab. The analytical solutions of the entire temperature filed and the melt interface were obtained. Furthermore, the development of the interface after heating was estimated. The melting depth versus the laser pulse width was investigated. The results show that a temperature platform appears at the melting point due to the consideration of the delayed melting time. The calculated molten pool shaped like a bowl, which agrees with the experiment. The measured melting depth is inside the estimated range. The depth increases about 1.8 times for aluminum after laser irradiation. With certain incident laser energy, the deepest melting depth can be obtained by choosing the proper pulse width. The analytical solutions can provide quick estimation for practical laser processing.

► We build axisymmetric model for laser melting of metals.
► Analytical solutions of temperature filed and the melt interface are obtained.
► The measured melting depth is in our estimated range.
► The depth increases about 1.8 times for aluminum after laser irradiation.
► The deepest melting depth could be obtained by choosing the proper pulse width.