Abstract
The results of an experimental investigation on the physical and chemical characteristics of cement-based materials under laser interactions are presented. The laser cutting tests were conducted using a multi-mode continuous fiber laser with a laser power of 1 kW. The experimental variables were laser speed, water to cement ratio, and material compositions including cement paste, cement mortar, and ultra high-performance concrete (UHPC). In order to evaluate the mass removal mechanisms of cement-based materials under laser interactions, the effect of laser cutting was evaluated in terms of kerf width, penetration depth, and chemical composition changes before and after the interaction with laser using EDX analysis. The test results reveal that adding silica sand in cement-based materials leads to decreasing penetration depth and increasing kerf width. Unlike the cement paste and cement mortar series, UHPC specimens showed no discernible crack observed by the naked eye after laser interaction due to its high strength. Furthermore, the chemical analysis indicates that chemical composition changes were caused by various mechanisms including dehydration of calcium hydroxide and thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate.
Highlights
Conventional cutting of cement-based materials has disadvantages such as degradation of accuracy, fallout, a need for close operator proximity, and the creation of considerable amounts of effluent [1]
To overcome the current limitations caused by the conventional cutting method, laser cutting can be a good option
The understanding of laser cutting characteristics on cement-based materials is so important to fully utilize the advantages of laser cutting on this application
Summary
Conventional cutting of cement-based materials has disadvantages such as degradation of accuracy, fallout, a need for close operator proximity, and the creation of considerable amounts of effluent [1]. From a practical point of view, a laser providing high-energy density can be applied to remove a large volume of cement-based construction materials, as high-power laser beams are commercially available, and the laser beam can be focused on very small areas by manipulating optics. Due to these advantages, LAM has been used to treat or the concrete surfaces. In addition to key factors, relationships among laser interaction time, removed volume, and surface temperatures were studied Based on these relationships, they found the effects of the composition of concrete composites on laser scabbling behavior. Cutting results are characterized depending on the laser cutting speed
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