Micro patterning on cylindrical surface by electrochemical etching using laser masking

Abstract

Selective electrochemical etching of stainless steel was achieved by applying laser masking on cylindrical surface. Micro patterned recast layer was formed through ytterbium doped pulsed fiber laser irradiation on the workpiece surface. The micro patterned recast layer can be used as a mask during electrochemical etching process. Since the surface of the workpiece was non-planar, laser masking characteristics were investigated to form uniform mask on the entire surface. To minimize the factors causing non-uniformity of mask formation, galvano line scanning method was applied to laser masking process. Electrochemical etching characteristics were investigated to achieve deeper etched depth. Selective electrochemical etching of stainless steel was conducted in 2 M sodium nitrite electrolyte. The results were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and surface profiles were measured by 3D surface profiler. Through a series process of laser masking and electrochemical etching, micro patterning on cylindrical surface was successfully performed