The Role of Oxidation in Laser Cutting Stainless and Mild Steel

This paper gives the results of a detailed examination of the particles ejected from the cut zone during CO2 laser cutting of mild and stainless steels. Cuts were carried out over a range of material thickness at the optimum speed for each at a laser power of 900 Watts. Particles ejected from the cut zone were collected and analyzed to establish their chemical and physical characteristics. Analysis techniques included Scanning Electron Microscopy, wet chemical analysis, optical microscopy, metallography and particle sizing. The results from this extensive analysis have enabled the authors to estimate the heat generated by the oxidation process during cutting of both mild and stainless steels.