Safety enclosures for laser cells

During processing with laser radiation the operator as well as the environment in the vicinity of the laser machine has to be protected against primary and secondary radiation emitted by the process. Up to now there is a lack of information about the resistance and the holding time of frequently used materials for laser guards. Investigations were carried out to yield information about the behavior of several materials under laser irradiation at six wavelengths each representing a type of beam source utilized in industry. The evaluation was guided by the topics fire and health risk, mechanical behavior, damage threshold, and holding time to burnthrough. Tables are created offering a comprehensive survey over the suitability of all materials tested. Recommendations and advice for design and layout of guarding equipment is given.