Laser Cutting Titanium
Laser Cutting Titanium
(OP)
Is there a recommended method/process for laser cutting 1" thick Ti6Al4V?
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RE: Laser Cutting Titanium
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: Laser Cutting Titanium
RE: Laser Cutting Titanium
RE: Laser Cutting Titanium
RE: Laser Cutting Titanium
traverse speed
max wattage and peak power
pulsed beam versus continuous wave
if pulsed, what kind of pulse profile
shield gasses if required
I would suspect for 1" thick, you'll have a substantial heat affected zone, kerf angle, and recast on the bottom edge.
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: Laser Cutting Titanium
In a related process when we attempted to work with Ti in air we had a large fire.
RE: Laser Cutting Titanium
RE: Laser Cutting Titanium
RE: Laser Cutting Titanium
There are lots of drawbacks to laser cutting titanium, depending upon the application. Laser cutting something that thick will create a large kerf on the exit side and a large heat affected zone, as TygerDawg noted. Ti is also highly reactive with oxygen, so the alpha case produced in the surrounding area will need to be removed. Also, the machine shop will demand that any remelt slag around the cut be removed before they start machining on it, since it is hard on their cutting tools.
Personally, if I needed a rough shape from Ti plate, I would prefer water jet or wire EDM over laser. Either of those methods would allow the least amount of material waste. Especially important with the current price of aero grade Ti.
Regards,
Terry