Overview

• Lab-scale trials on nickel-based superalloy Inconel 625 demonstrated a 69% reduction in cutting force, 46% lower tool wear and 56% improved surface finish versus conventional turning.
• The process pairs a 2,500 W fibre-coupled diode laser with a CNC turn-mill centre and real-time monitoring to thermally soften the workpiece just ahead of the cutting tool.
• CrAlSiN-coated tools showed exceptional resistance to abrasion and oxidation, maintaining sharpness and dimensional accuracy at elevated temperatures.
• Wear-mechanism analysis revealed tungsten carbide tools shift from fatigue and abrasion at room temperature to oxidation and adhesion-dominated wear under laser-assisted conditions.
• After peer-reviewed publication in Process Mechanical Engineering and Materials Letters, the Ministry of Science and Technology signaled support for pilot trials in aerospace, power generation and space-vehicle manufacturing.