A model of material removal mechanisms in pulsed laser cutting of ceramics

Abstract

A theoretical model of the pulsed laser cutting of ceramics is presented. The ejection mechanisms of the processed material from the cutting front are modeled under the assumption that the ceramic material may be both melted and evaporated by the laser radiation. Therefore, three ejection mechanisms are investigated simultaneously: ejection of molten material by the assist gas, evaporation of the liquid, and ejection of molten material due to the recoil pressure generated by the evaporation from the cutting front.The temporal evolution of the ejection mechanisms is solved for several laser pulse modes. Theoretical results are compared with experimental observations to validate the conclusions regarding the influence of frequency and pulse length on the cutting process.A theoretical model of the pulsed laser cutting of ceramics is presented. The ejection mechanisms of the processed material from the cutting front are modeled under the assumption that the ceramic material may be both melted and evaporated by the laser radiation. Therefore, three ejection mechanisms are investigated simultaneously: ejection of molten material by the assist gas, evaporation of the liquid, and ejection of molten material due to the recoil pressure generated by the evaporation from the cutting front.The temporal evolution of the ejection mechanisms is solved for several laser pulse modes. Theoretical results are compared with experimental observations to validate the conclusions regarding the influence of frequency and pulse length on the cutting process.