Pulsed Nd: YAG Laser Cutting of Carbon Fibre Composite Materials

The effect of some of the laser beam and machining parameters on the depth of the cut, the width of the heat-affected-zone (HAZ) and the quality of cut on carbon fibre composite materials has been studied. Thermal damage of the material has been examined and compared with those produced by the electrical discharge machining. There exists an optimum pulse duration for the depth of cut. Deeper penetration of beam is obtained with compressed air jet while cleaner edge and less thermal damage are obtained with the argon gas. The ratio of the HAZ width to the depth of cut depends on the details of the arrangement of the fibres in the cross-ply laminates.