Heat conduction analysis of laser CFRP processing with IR and UV laser light

To investigate carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite processing, cutting experiments are performed using a Nd:YAG laser. Both ultraviolet (lambda = 266 nm) and infrared (lambda = 1064 nm) lights are examined to optimize the laser conditions for cutting CFRP. The experimental data are compared to the results calculated by heat conduction models. The good agreement between the experimental and calculated results indicates that the cutting quality depends on the wavelength of the cutting laser. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.