Development of Laser Surface Modification Technology

The laser surface modification technology uses high-energy-density laser beams to rapidly process the local vulnerable and consumable areas of components, which can achieve the desired performances on material surfaces and greatly extend the service life of the components. After decades of development, laser surface modification technology has been widely applied to aerospace, petrochemical, energy, transportation, metallurgy and other fields. Taking three typical laser surface modification technologies—laser shock processing, laser quenching, and laser cladding—as examples, this study introduces the technical characteristics and application status of these technologies in China and abroad and analyzes the existing problems. It also proposes the key research directions, including special alloy material preparation, multi-energy-field composited laser surface modification, on-site laser remanufacturing, laser shock processing with controlled shape and performance, intelligent laser surface modification, and laser surface micro-structure preparation. Some development suggestions are further proposed from the aspects of government guidance, domestic innovation, industrial chain improvement, establishment of the quality evaluation standards system, and talent training, in hope to provide references for the development of laser surface modification technologies in China.