Grain and texture optimisation with dynamic recrystallisation behaviour in laser ablation of 5083 aluminium alloy

Aluminium alloys are widely utilized for their outstanding properties, though surface quality critically impacts service performance. Laser ablation has emerged as a preferred surface enhancement technique. The influence of laser energy density on 5083 aluminium alloy was investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) analyses of composition and microstructure. With 3.5 J/cm², initial grain refinement occurs, attributed to localized heating and subsequent recrystallization processes. With 17.5 J/cm², dynamic recrystallization leads to significant grain refinement and a more random grain orientation, reducing the intensity of the (111) peak in XRD. With 70 J/cm², grain coarsening is observed, but the overall orientation density slightly recovers due to the homogenization of grain orientations. The Kernel Average Misorientation (KAM) and Kernel Average Scalar (KAS) values indicate that high energy density treatments effectively reduce local misorientations and strain, demonstrating the potential of laser ablation techniques.