Optimization of titanium cutting by factorial analysis of the pulsed Nd:YAG laser parameters

Abstract

The need to establish the laser processed parts that satisfy all functional requirements of the application as an uniform surface finish, low roughness and the conservation of their metallurgic properties was the main motivation in the accomplishment of this study. Besides the versatility and advantages, as well as the industrial sector global trend, became important factors in the lasers use as machining tools. The scope of present study was to investigate the effects of laser processing on the quality and formation of phases in the cut surface. The cutting process was performed on commercially pure (CP) titanium (grade 2) and alloy Ti-6Al-4V (grade 5) sheets. The obtained samples were analyzed through optical microscopy (OM) in order to determine the edge roughness formations. An increase on the superficial hardness on the cut region and the formation of nitrogen precipitates under a thin layer of a melted zone were verified. A factorial arrangement regarding the several combinations of different processing factors was built and the influence of these specific parameters, which were statistically significant for the process, was evaluated by the analysis of variance statistical test.