Laser heating of titanium and steel: Phase change at the surface

► Temperature and melt pool predictions agree well with the experimental data. ► Temperature along y-axis follows almost the laser pulse intensity distribution at the surface. ► Two temperature peaks are observed at surface along x-axis for increased laser intensity parameter. ► Scanning speed lowers peak temperature at surface and modifies temperature profile in laser scanning direction. ► Melt pool size at surface changes significantly for increased laser pulse parameter and scanning speed.