Heat input during high pressure laser cutting of inconel & titanium Available to Purchase

The speed and quality of high pressure laser cutting has attracted the interest of the aerospace industry. Inconel and titanium alloys can be cut cleanly with this process, but the relative importance of the multiple laser cutting parameters is not well established. This study concerns the techniques of high pressure laser cutting and the importance of several parameters as they relate to the production of heat affected zones these aerospace alloys. It was determined that oxide-free, dross-free laser cuts could be accomplished routinely in two thicknesses of each alloy. Among the relevant parameters, focal point position emerged as the dominant factor in successful, high pressure laser cutting. Attempts to use temperature change measurements as a preliminary gage of heat affected zone were not successful; however, such measurement may be useful in determining optimum focal point position.