In this paper, the influence of double pulse technique on phase explosion threshold in laser ablation of an aluminum target is investigated. Single and double pulse laser ablation of aluminum target was performed by a high power Nd: YAG laser beam in ambient air. In the double pulse excitation, the two pulses were from a single laser source which separated by a delay time in the range of 5-20 ns. Measuring ablation depth and rate, the phase explosion threshold was estimated in double pulse configuration as well as in the single pulse regime. The results show that in comparison between single and double pulse regimes, the phase explosion threshold fluence is decreased in double pulse configuration. The lowest phase explosion threshold fluence of 0.9 J/cm(2) was obtained at 5 ns delay time. The results also show that plasma shielding effect reduced crater depth at a laser fluence which depended on the laser ablation configuration (single pulse or double pulse). The reduction of crater depth occurs at lower laser fluences for double pulse regime. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.