Laser Machining of Metal-Matrix Composites

Fig.1 and Fig.2 show the topography of the cut surfaces obtained using a white light interferometer as well as an electron microscope. By decreasing the cutting feed rate a smoother surface is obtained. With a higher feed rate laser cutting tends to be intermittent. A smoother surface can also be obtained by machining at a higher output power. Trumpf CO2 Laser; mat: AA2618/SiC/20p (Müller and Monaghan, 2000).

Fig.1 P=1.1 kW; v=3000 mm/min;

Fig. 2 P=1.6 kW; v=600 mm/min

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