16Cr3Al-Hf ODS steel: Surface effects of high laser intensity of 10¹⁵ W/cm² in ambiences of air, helium and vacuum

Abstract

Behavior of ODS steel under high energy fluxes is important as it is one of the most promising fusion reactor materials. The addition of hafnium provides improved microstructure and therefore better mechanical properties at high temperatures, and the goal here was to investigate the effects induced on Hf-containing ODS steel by the action of high-intensity ∼1015 W/cm2 radiation obtained by ultrashort pulsed laser. Morphological and chemical parametric study of the surface was conducted at different work ambiences. New data were obtained on damage parameters, threshold fluences and chemical changes. Measured damage depths were ∼7.5 μm (air), ∼14 μm (helium), ∼48 μm (vacuum), which is somewhat lower compared to ODS steel without the addition of hafnium.