Cutting of aluminum alloys with a Q-switched repetitively pulsed CO2 laser under conditions of intense material evaporation

Abstract

The results of an experimental study of laser cutting of aluminum-lithium alloys using a repetitively pulsed CO2 laser with Q-switching under conditions of intense material evaporation are presented. The dependence of cut quality on the assisted gas pressure is determined. It is shown that a high-quality cut with a sheet thickness of 1.5 mm can be obtained at a gas pressure of 0.5–0.6 bar, which is significantly less compared to cutting with a continuous laser power. This makes it possible to reduce the assisted gas consumption. The dependence of cut surface roughness on the pulse repetition rate is measured.The results of an experimental study of laser cutting of aluminum-lithium alloys using a repetitively pulsed CO2 laser with Q-switching under conditions of intense material evaporation are presented. The dependence of cut quality on the assisted gas pressure is determined. It is shown that a high-quality cut with a sheet thickness of 1.5 mm can be obtained at a gas pressure of 0.5–0.6 bar, which is significantly less compared to cutting with a continuous laser power. This makes it possible to reduce the assisted gas consumption. The dependence of cut surface roughness on the pulse repetition rate is measured.