Seungwoo Baek1,Won Sang Shin1,Yoon Jun Kim1,Changkyoo Park2
Inha University1,Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials2
Seungwoo Baek1,Won Sang Shin1,Yoon Jun Kim1,Changkyoo Park2
Inha University1,Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials2
304L stainless steel (SS304L) is a chromium- and nickel-containing austenitic stainless steel with the mechanical strength and highly corrosion-resistant material, such as automotive exhaust systems, gas boiler tubes and nuclear power plants in various venues be used. However, when SS304L is exposed to a temperature range of 425°C to 870°C, the precipitation of chromium carbide occurs and chromium depletion zone is formed adjacent to the grain boundary. Maintenance via corrosion removal using surface cleaning techniques is necessitated for maintenance of parts and materials. The most well-known abrasive blasting techniques are shot blasting and sand blasting. However, abrasive blasting can induce severe plastic deformation and surface defects, as well as reduce the corrosion resistance due to the application of abrasive particles with high kinetic energy against the workpieces. Moreover, airborne abrasive particles (sand) can deteriorate the operating environment and increase the health risk of workers. In this study, a high-power Nd:YAG laser is used to remove a corrosion layer on the surface of 304L stainless steel as an efficient and eco-friendly method than the conventional method. In order to increase the efficiency and productivity of rust removal technology through the laser surface cleaning (LSC) process, microstructure and mechanical characteristics according to laser conditions are analyzed and optimized.