Investigation of Laser Engraving Qualitative Characteristics of Al- SiC Composite Using Design of Experiments

Abstract

Laser marking is an advanced technology in material processing that has a permanent effect on materials. The materials are removed layer by layer via laser engraving in the laser path through melting displacement, ablation, and evaporation. Al-SiC is a metal matrix composite that is widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, and electronic packaging. Accumulative Roll Bonding (ARB) is one of the newest manufacturing processes of metal matrix composites which finally produces materials with high strength, low weight, and great environmental compatibility. This study investigates the laser engraving of Al-SiC composite samples which are produced through ARB process by using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. In this study, the 2k factorial design was used to analyze the effects of factors, including assistant gas flow, sample distance from beam focus location (distance), pulse repetition frequency, and pumping current on the qualitative characteristics of engraved zone (width, depth, and contrast of engraved zone). Desirability function was also used for optimization. The results that were based on experimental data indicated the optimal setting of input factors, leading to pre-specified target values of responses.