Laser Machining of Polymer Matrix Composites: Scope, Limitation and Application

  ijett-book-cover  International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT)          
  
© 2013 by IJETT Journal
Volume-4 Issue-6                      
Year of Publication : 2013
Authors : Pathik Patel , Piyush Gohil , Shilpesh Rajpurohit

Citation 

Pathik Patel , Piyush Gohil , Shilpesh Rajpurohit. "Laser Machining of Polymer Matrix Composites: Scope, Limitation and Application". International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT). V4(6):2391-2399 Jun 2013. ISSN:2231-5381. www.ijettjournal.org. published by seventh sense research group.

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of laser beam machining and researches carried out so far in the area of laser cutting of polymer matrix composites. Composite materials are highly promising materials for applications in the aeronautic, aerospace, automotive and marine industry, but their properties like brittleness, anisotropy and non - homogeneity make it a difficult to machine material by conventional machining methods. In order to make parts of the required specifications from composites an appropriate machining method must be selected and laser machining offers an attractive alternative for machining the composites. Laser machining is thermal energy based non - contact type advance machining. Laser beam is focused on the ma terial to remove material by melting and vaporizing. Laser cutting of composites find wide application in industry due to improved end product quality, low cost and short processing time. In recent years number of researches have explored laser beam machin ing of polymer matrix composites and the problem associated with that. This paper gives an overview of laser beam machining of polymer matrix composites, the effect of laser cutting parameters (laser power, cutting speed, gas pressure etc.) on the cut qual ity parameters (heat affected zone, surface roughness, kerfwidth, taper angle etc.) and at last the problems associated with cutting of composites are discussed as future work.

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Keywords
laser cutting, CO2 laser, polymer matrix composites, kerfwidth.