Qualitative assessment of surface topography of XeCl laser etched Ni-Cr alloy

Comparison of mode of debonding of laser-etched Ni-Cr alloy to a standard sandblasting technique was analyzed. Five groups of randomly allocated Ni-Cr cylinders were prepared: Group 1-sandblasted; Groups 2-4-laser etched at three fluences; Group5-combination sandblasting and laser etching. Optical and scanning electron microscopy were performed both prior to and following debonding. An oxide layer was observed on sample surfaces before surface preparation by lasing or abrasion. It was found that a combination of sandblasting and lasing allowed full removal of the surface oxidation layer due to abrasion, followed by roughening of the surface with the laser.