Fiber Laser Cutting of AISI-304 Stainless Steel: An Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Parameters on Kerf Width and Cutting Edge Quality

Abstract

Cutting with a laser beam is one of the more modern and precise cutting processes, and the cutting speed and precision are also very high. Inappropriate determination of cutting parameters during the laser cutting process is one of the most significant problems that can arise. This parameter mismatch results in a loss of cut surface quality that is difficult to recover. This decrease in quality is usually caused by problems with the appearance of dross and variations in the width of the surface kerf gap. This study aims to investigate the effect of laser cutting parameters such as cutting speed and nozzle diameter on cutting kerf gaps and cutting surface quality on AISI-304 stainless steel. Nine different sets of experiments were carried out according to a full factorial design of 3², two factors, and three levels each. By utilizing the analysis of variance and the substantial contribution of each parameter, the impact of processing factors on kerf width and surface quality is investigated. Based on the findings and results obtained, the cutting speed is the component that has the greatest impact both on the variation of the cutting kerf and the surface quality. Meanwhile, the diameter of the nozzle also plays an important role in determining how the gas flow changes in the process of forming the kerf gaps, which in turn determines the extent to which the laser cutting surface will appear drossy and form striations due to the molten metal flowing on its cutting surface.