This study examines the auxiliary effects of an ultrasonic vibration physical field on laser polishing and explores how ultrasonic amplitude and laser parameters influence the surface roughness of zirconia ceramics. By employing a response surface experimental design, this study aims to optimize the surface roughness. Zirconia ceramics are polished using a pulsed laser, and the study evaluates the surface roughness, hardness, friction and wear coefficients, and changes in the surface element composition.

indicate that the optimal process parameters for ultrasonic-assisted laser polishing of zirconia ceramics are as follows: laser power is 75.9 W, pulse frequency is 3.28 kHz, scanning speed is 345 mm/s, ultrasound amplitude is 25%, and vibration frequency is 19.42 kHz. Pulsed laser polishing alone reduces the surface roughness from 2.479 to 0.595 μm. When combined with ultrasonic vibration, the surface roughness decreases further to 0.477 μm, resulting in an overall reduction of 80.7%. Additionally, ultrasonic vibration induces residual compressive stress within the remelted layer, leading to a narrower vertical crack width than that generated by laser polishing alone. Although ultrasonic-assisted laser polishing slightly increases surface hardness, it does not notably alter the content of surface elements.