Thermal effects of laser marking on microstructure and corrosion properties of stainless steel

Laser marking is an advanced technique used for modification of surface optical properties. This paper presents research on the influence of laser marking on the corrosion properties of stainless steel. Processes during the laser beam-surface interaction cause structure and color changes and can also be responsible for reduction of corrosion resistance of the surface. Corrosion tests, roughness, microscopic, energy dispersive x-ray, grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, and ferrite content analyses were carried out. It was found that increasing heat input is the most crucial parameter regarding the degradation of corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Other relevant parameters include the pulse length and pulse frequency. The authors found a correlation between laser processing parameters, grazing incidence x-ray measurement, ferrite content, and corrosion resistance of the affected surface. Possibilities and limitations of laser marking of stainless steel in the context of the reduction of its corrosion resistance are discussed.