Product Code: ICAL05_201

Chemistry in Laser Material Processing
Authors:
Wolfgang Danzer, Linde Gas AG; Unterschleissheim Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2005

High-speed film technique has been used to examine laser cutting and to understand the difference to oxy-fuel cutting. Chemical reactions during ignition phase of the cutting process are different as can be seen from the films resulting in different speeds. Also in laser welding chemical reactions steer processing speed and performance. Active substancies clearly affect the surface tensions and melt flow direction in laser welding of steel. In laser welding of aluminium ,in contrast, oxygen is not beneficial and molten aluminium oxides are pushed aside by the laser beam rather than being cracked or dissociated.