Laser Precision Processing Technologies and Equipment for Aerospace Materials

Dear Colleagues,

The aerospace sector extensively employs difficult–to–machine materials such as titanium alloys, carbon–carbon composites, SiC/SiC ceramic–matrix composites, PEEK and PI. The operational reliability of critical components in extreme environments depends critically on geometric precision and surface integrity. Conventional methods, cutting, electrical–discharge machining and grinding/polishing often induce heat–affected zones, recast layers, delamination and microcracks, and they struggle to meet vacuum, cryogenic and cleanliness constraints. Laser precision-machining offers a disruptive pathway to high–quality microfabrication and remanufacturing of aerospace materials, with advantages including spatiotemporal control of energy deposition, low thermal input, non–contact operation and compatibility with special environments. Strong results have been demonstrated in microhole/microchannel fabrication, surface polishing and deburring, functional texturing, controlled thinning of thin–walled components and repair. However, to meet aerospace demands for high reliability and engineering scalability, it remains essential to elucidate multiscale laser–material interaction mechanisms and to refine integrated equipment–process design and closed-loop control systems.

This Micromachines Special Issue, “Laser Precision Processing Technologies and Equipment for Aerospace Materials” welcomes research articles, communications and reviews on material systems used in aerospace applications, including metals, composites, ceramics and polymers. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, (i) laser–material interactions and modeling; (ii) novel laser microfabrication and surface-modification techniques; (iii) beam shaping, scanning and five-axis motion equipment with system integration; (iv) in situ/online monitoring and data-driven closed-loop process control; (v) integrated additive/subtractive manufacturing, repair technologies and heterogeneous-material joining and (vi) reliability assessment and application validation for vacuum, cryogenic and irradiated environments. We look forward to driving breakthroughs in key processes and equipment for laser precision processing in aerospace and to further expanding its engineering application scope.

Dr. Congyi Wu
Guest Editor

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