Preliminary study into the effects of YAG laser processing of titanium 6Al-4V alloy for potential aerospace component cleaning application

This paper outlines some essential gas turbine aeroengine component manufacture cleaning requirements. It describes the preliminary results of work conducted into the effects of laser processing Ti-6A-4V alloy for cleaning of aerospace components, including determination of the melt and surface coupling thresholds for the Nd:YAG (λ = 1.064 μm) system in use. The results of laser processing as a preparation for electron beam welding and diffusion bonding are presented. Finally, the direction of future work towards the development of an effective process for laser cleaning titanium aero-engine components is discussed. The results demonstrated the sensitivity of the system in use to gaseous contamination, producing acceptable electron beam welded joints, but unacceptable diffusion bonded joints.