Picosecond laser micro-drilling, engraving and surface texturing of tungsten carbide

The results on picosecond laser micro-drilling, engraving, and surface texturing of tungsten carbide (WC) substrate are presented. A systematic study was conducted on the influence of various laser parameters on the characteristics of laser machined features. The machined features such as micro-holes, engraved structures, and surface textures were evaluated with an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. Under the identified optimum laser parameters, high quality different sized holes, engraved structures, and two-scale (micro/nano) surface textures on WC substrates were produced. The developed process has potential to be applied in the manufacturing of WC substrate based components for precision engineering industry.