Fabricating three-dimensional array features on metallic foil surface using overlapping laser shock embossing

Laser shock embossing is a new three-dimensional (3D) forming technique, which utilizes laser-generated shock wave to shape the workpiece with micro-mold. Micro rectangular array feature with dimensions of 500 μm×450 μm×14 μm were successfully fabricated on metallic foil surface using overlapping laser shock embossing. The investigation reveals that 3D rectangular array features have a high spatial resolution at the micron level. However the micro rectangular features located on the overlap region is not so perfect. With further development, micro-mold based overlapping laser shock embossing holds promise for achieving large-area three-dimensional array features on metallic foil surface. And the forming experiment of the flower shape feature proves that the fabrication cost is independent of the microstructures complexity.