Recast layer and HAZ formation from laser cutting of SUS 304 plate under cutting speed variation

• Main Authors: Pradana, Yanuar Rohmat Aji, Rahman, Chandra Hairat Abdul, Afrianto, Raka, Aminnudin, Aminnudin, Wahono, Wahono
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cutting parameters; Cutting speed; Gas pressure; Heat affected zone; Laser beam cutting; Lasers; Material properties; Microscopy; Optical microscopes; Optical microscopy; Surface properties
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0204931

The formation recast layer after laser cutting is responsible for characterizing the surface quality of the cutting zone. Moreover, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) shifts the surface properties of materials. This current study presents the effect of cutting speed of laser cutting towards the formation of the recast layer and HAZ in SUS 304 plate. The microstructural analyses through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy were utilized to measure the geometrical feature of the formed recast layer and HAZ. The results indicate that the formation mode of the recast layer varies in the inlet and outlet of the cutting direction. The higher cutting speed resulted in a thicker recast layer in the inlet zone, however, it formed a thinner layer in the outlet one. In parallel, the optical microscope measurement showed that larger HAZ was formed by longer heat exposure induced by lower cutting speed. Moreover, the thickness of the HAZ observed in the outlet zone is relatively larger than that in the input zone. The gas pressure during cutting played a dominant role in determining the recast layer characteristics by modifying the metal melt removal during cutting while the heat input was the major aspect in determining HAZ width.