Experimental study about laser cutting of carbon fiber reinforced polymer

In order to obtain the influence rule of laser cutting parameters on carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP), CFRPs were cut with a 500W millisecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser in air and under the water respectively. The relationships of pulse energy, frequency, cutting speed, gas pressure with the cutting quality were investigated by means of the one-factor experimental design. The influence of the laser cutting parameters on kerf width, fiber pull out at the beam entrance, fiber pull out at the beam exit and taper angle were obtained. The laser cutting mechanism was also analyzed and studied. The research shows that the laser cutting under the water can greatly reduce the heat affected zone generated by the laser cutting, which provides some reference for the further research of the laser cutting CFRP under the water.