Microstructural characterization of laser surface-melted Inconel 718

In the present study, a detailed study of the effect of laser parameters on microstructure and phases of the laser surface-melted (using 2 kW continuous wave Yb-fibre laser) Inconel 718 has been carried out. Surface melting has been conducted with a power of 400 watts, scan speed of 500, 750, and 1000 mm/min and with a spot diameter of 3 mm. After laser surface melting, the microstructures, phase, surface roughness and crystallographic orientation (texture) of the melt zone has been carried out. There is refinement of microstructure and change in crystallographic texture which varied with process parameters. The effect of process parameters on the microhardness of the melt zone has been studied in detail.