Processing characteristics of C/C composites with nanosecond pulse laser

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of the nanosecond pulse laser parameters on the processing characteristics of carbon fiber-reinforced carbon matrix (C/C) composites through a series of laser cutting experiments. It compares the cutting width, depth, heat-affected zone (HAZ) width, processed surface micro-morphology, as well as the oxidation characteristics of the material under different processing parameters. The HAZ width is analyzed in relation to the variations in the oxygen content. The results indicate that both the cutting width and depth initially increase and then decrease with increasing repetition frequency. Moreover, increasing the laser power and pulse width gradually increases the cutting width, depth, and HAZ width, whereas a higher scanning speed tends to reduce the cutting width and depth. Since changes in the processing power, scanning speed, and pulse width affect the HAZ, the oxygen content exhibits a proportional relationship with the HAZ width. In addition, an increase in the repetition frequency can expand the HAZ while reducing the oxygen content. A careful increase in the repetition frequency aids in lowering the ablation threshold of the material, leading to more material removal. Nevertheless, a continuous increase in energy density can trigger a fiber pull-out phenomenon and cause degradation of the matrix.