Investigation of the Laser Irradiation Effects on Resin-Based Composites With Different Gain-Enhancing Powders

Previous studies have lacked in-depth comparative analyses of the differences among various mechanisms of powder-reinforced composites in terms of their laser irradiation resistance. Innovatively, this study selected five different types of reinforcing powders and systematically investigated their performance differences for the first time. Through detailed analysis, the specific mechanisms by which various powders enhance the laser ablation resistance of composites were revealed. The results show that while the addition of reinforcing powders to resin-based composites can effectively reduce laser damage, the different powders exhibit varying degrees of enhancement in the laser irradiation resistance of the composites. The nano-Cu reinforced composites, with higher thermal conductivity, exhibit the shallowest ablation depth but also the largest HAZ (heat-affected zone) and the highest back surface temperature. The chemically reactive and endothermic powder-reinforced composites have balanced comprehensive properties with average performance indicators. The ultra-high-temperature ceramic powder-reinforced composites, thanks to their high-temperature-resistant ZrC powder, have the lowest front and back surface temperatures and the shallowest ablation pit. Therefore, the selection of laser-resistant reinforcing powders should be based on the specific requirements of the actual application to determine the appropriate material composition. This study compares how different reinforcing powders enhance laser irradiation resistance through various mechanisms and offers important insights for improving the safety of resin-based composites in strong laser environments.