Striation formation and melt removal in the laser cutting process

✍ Scribed by Kai Chen; Y. Lawrence Yao

• Publisher: Society of Manufacturing Engineers
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 959 KB
• Volume: 18
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0278-6125
• DOI: 10.1016/s0278-6125(99)80025-9

✦ Synopsis

The mechanisms of melt ejection and striation formation in continuous wave laser cutting of mild steel are discussed. Melt ejection from the cutting front is shown to be a cyclic phenomenon. Striation formation is strongly affected by the oscillatory characteristic of the thin liquid film on the cutting front during melt ejection, together with the oxidation and heat transfer process. Cutting speed determines whether the liquid film will rupture or generate waves on the cutting front. Theoretical explanations are given according to the instability theory of a thin liquid film in a high-velocity gas jet and the diffusion-controlled oxidation theory. Striation frequency and depth are predicted according to the above theories. Experimental investigations were carried out and the results are consistent with the calculations. The better understanding has shed light on further investigations and optimal process development.