Dependence of cutting carbon fiber reinforced plastics with nanosecond laser on the laser wavelength and oxygen concentration of the air

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) is a kind of advanced light-weight materials. CFRP is used in various transport equipment in order to increase fuel economy. Laser cutting is one of useful technologies for cutting CFRP. However, heat affected zone (HAZ) is formed at laser irradiation area since the heat conduction property of the matrix is different from that of carbon. In our experiments, we investigated the dependence of HAZ on oxygen concentration by irradiating nanosecond laser in the chamber in argon gas, which reduces oxygen concentration, and in the air. The results suggested that the laser cutting of the CFRP in argon gas might be a useful method to reduce heat affected zone due to suppression of the oxidization of the carbon fibers.Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) is a kind of advanced light-weight materials. CFRP is used in various transport equipment in order to increase fuel economy. Laser cutting is one of useful technologies for cutting CFRP. However, heat affected zone (HAZ) is formed at laser irradiation area since the heat conduction property of the matrix is different from that of carbon. In our experiments, we investigated the dependence of HAZ on oxygen concentration by irradiating nanosecond laser in the chamber in argon gas, which reduces oxygen concentration, and in the air. The results suggested that the laser cutting of the CFRP in argon gas might be a useful method to reduce heat affected zone due to suppression of the oxidization of the carbon fibers.