Material morphological characteristics in laser ablation of alpha case from titanium alloy

► A new laser process that successfully removes alpha case titanium. ► Experimental ablation rates of alpha case and Ti6Al4V alloy are measured. ► The crack characteristic, roughness and hardness change of alpha case are varied. ► Surface morphology could be used to identify alpha case and measure its thickness. ► An empirical model was proposed for thickness measurement of alpha case layer.