Experimental investigation of CFRP ablation with UV and N-IR nanosecond lasers

Abstract

A carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is widely used for automobile, aircraft and so on, because of high strength, lightweight and weather resistance. The cutting of CFRP is difficult since it was composed of complex matrix of carbon fiber and epoxy resin. The laser processing is suitable way to machining tool for CFRP. By applying the laser cutting of CFRP, the epoxy resin was quickly evaporated before the carbon fiber cut, which was caused formation of heat affected zone (HAZ). It is required to decrease the HAZ.In this study, nanosecond lasers at UV and IR were employed to cut the CFRP. The ablation plume of CFRP was observed by spectrometer and laser microscope analysis was conducted to evaluate the HAZ. The results revealed that the HAZ formation depended on the laser wavelength. The HAZ of UV laser became smaller than that of IR laser.A carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is widely used for automobile, aircraft and so on, because of high strength, lightweight and weather resistance. The cutting of CFRP is difficult since it was composed of complex matrix of carbon fiber and epoxy resin. The laser processing is suitable way to machining tool for CFRP. By applying the laser cutting of CFRP, the epoxy resin was quickly evaporated before the carbon fiber cut, which was caused formation of heat affected zone (HAZ). It is required to decrease the HAZ.In this study, nanosecond lasers at UV and IR were employed to cut the CFRP. The ablation plume of CFRP was observed by spectrometer and laser microscope analysis was conducted to evaluate the HAZ. The results revealed that the HAZ formation depended on the laser wavelength. The HAZ of UV laser became smaller than that of IR laser.