A Comprehensive Review on Laser Bending of Advanced Materials

Laser bending is emerging as a viable technology for forming a diverse range of metallic sheet materials. This innovative method utilizes localized laser heating, creating a temperature gradient across the sheet thickness which consequently generates the non-uniform thermal stresses. When these thermal stresses go beyond the elastic limit of the sheet material, it results in plastic deformation. Control over this deformation is important, and it requires a clear understanding of the interactive effect of the laser parameters, material properties and sheet parameters. This review paper aims to consolidate the recent developments in laser bending, with a specific emphasis on the experimental investigation including the parametric studies of advanced materials, methods for real-time monitoring and controlling the deformation. Moreover, it delves into the underlying mechanisms at play during laser bending, as well as the alterations in microstructural and mechanical properties that occur within the material during laser forming. Furthermore, this paper explores the recent advancements in numerical and analytical models that have been developed to elucidate the intricacies of the laser bending process, employing various analytical approaches. In closing, it sheds light on the challenges faced in the field of laser bending and offers insights into potential avenues for future research in this domain.