Laser-surface processing of metals and ceramics for industrial applications

Excimer laser radiation is readily absorbed by metallic and ceramic surfaces and hence high coupling efficiencies are obtained. However, the use of excimer lasers in materials processing is limited by the short pulse duration. Possible applications are restricted either to surface activation processes, modification of surface films or ablation. This paper focuses on fundamental investigations and possible industrial applications for thin film modification on metallic and ceramic substrates using short-pulse lasers. Based on the fundamental investigations, suitable processes and industrial applications can be found. The present overview outlines the fundamental aspects and focuses on some practical examples of currently discussed and already implemented industrial applications of excimer lasers, e.g. cleaning of contaminated electronic parts, the removal of deformation layers in cylinder-liners, smoothening and sealing of ceramic parts for motor applications and ablation of hard coatings onto tooling parts.