Title: Investigation on the machinability of steel/steel laminates by CO2 laser

Authors: Mehmet Şimşir; Ali Özer; Levent Cenk Kumruoğlu

Addresses: Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Cumhuriyet University, 58140, Sivas, Turkey ' Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Cumhuriyet University, 58140, Sivas, Turkey ' Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Cumhuriyet University, 58140, Sivas, Turkey

Abstract: In this study, an experimental investigation of machinability of steel/steel laminates using CO2 laser was presented. O2 assist gas was used for cutting of laminates. Laser power and feed rate were changed gradually as cutting parameters. Heat affected zone (HAZ) size and kerf width were measured. Effect of linear energy density (ratio of power to feed rate) was determined on the kerf width, the HAZ size, and the cutting surface quality. Also, the quality of surface was examined under optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. It is concluded that when linear energy density is increased, the kerf width and the HAZ size increase. Dross formation and surface irregularities increase with increasing laser power and decreasing feed rate.

Keywords: CO2 lasers; composite materials; kerf width; heat affected zone; HAZ; surface quality; composites; machinability; steel-steel laminates; laser power; feed rate; laser cutting.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2014.059032

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2014 Vol.48 No.1/2/3/4, pp.80 - 94

Received: 11 Jan 2013
Accepted: 23 Aug 2013

Published online: 30 May 2014 *

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