With the application of laser cutting in more and more fields, there are more and more suitable materials. However, different materials have different characteristics, so the matters needing attention when using laser cutting are also different. The following is a brief analysis of the main materials used in laser cutting:
(1) steel
Good results can be obtained when the material is cut by oxygen in laser cutting. When oxygen is used as the processing gas, the cutting edge will be slightly oxidized. For plates with a thickness of 4mm, nitrogen can be used as the processing gas for high-pressure cutting. In this case, the cut edge will not be oxidized. For plates with a thickness of more than 10mm, the use of special plates for lasers and the application of oil to the surface of workpieces during processing can achieve better results.
(2) stainless steel
Cutting stainless steel needs: laser cutting uses oxygen, in the case that edge oxidation does not matter; Nitrogen is used to obtain edges without oxidation and burr, so no further treatment is required. Coating the oil film on the surface of the plate will get a better perforation effect without reducing the processing quality.
aluminium
Despite its high reflectivity and thermal conductivity, aluminum materials with a thickness of less than 6mm can be cut, depending on the alloy type and laser capacity. When oxygen is used for cutting, the cutting surface is rough and hard. When nitrogen is used, the cutting surface is smooth. Pure aluminum is very difficult to cut because of its high purity. Only when the system is installed with a "reflection absorption" device can it be cut. Otherwise reflection will destroy the optical components.
(3) titanium
Titanium plates are cut with argon and nitrogen as processing gases. Other parameters can refer to nickel chromium steel.
(4) copper and brass
Both materials have high reflectivity and very good thermal conductivity. Brass with laser cutting thickness less than 1mm can be cut with nitrogen; Copper with a thickness of less than 2mm can be cut, and the processing gas must be oxygen. Copper and brass can be cut only when a "reflection absorption" device is installed on the system. Otherwise reflection will destroy the optical components.
(5) synthetic materials
When cutting synthetic materials, keep in mind the dangers of cutting and the dangerous substances that may be discharged. Synthetic materials that can be processed by laser cutting include thermoplastic, thermosetting materials and artificial rubber.
(6) organic matter
There is a danger of ignition in laser cutting in all organic cutting (nitrogen can be used as the processing gas or compressed air can be used as the processing gas). Wood, leather, cardboard and paper can be cut by laser, and the cutting edge will be burnt (brown).