Laser cutting of different polymeric plastics (PE, PP and PC) by a CO_2 laser beam

摘要

This work investigates the application of the CO_2 laser cutting process to three thermoplastic polymers, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC) in different thicknesses ranging from 2 to 10 mm. The process parameters examined were: laser power, range of cutting speed, type of focusing lens, pressure and flow of the covering gas, thickness of the samples. Furthermore, the values of kerf widths on top (L_(sup)) and bottom (L_(inf)) thicknesses, the melted transverse area, the melted volume per unit time and surface roughness values (R_a) on cut edges were also measured.