Effects of various gas types and parameters on DD13 steel during fiber laser cutting process

Laser cutting machines have become quite widespread in the industrial field today. Carbon dioxide and fiber laser machines are used especially in practice. Laser cutting machines are especially preferred due to their lack of tooling costs and precision workmanship capabilities. In this study, 2.5 mm and 5 mm parts of certain dimensions were cut from sheet metal raw material with material code DD13. Oxygen and nitrogen gas were used in the cutting process of these parts. A fiber laser cutting machine was used to blend these two auxiliary gases with different parameters and observe their effects. Laser power, cutting speed and auxiliary gas pressure were selected as parameters in the laser cutting machine. Subsequently, the surface roughness, hardness, and kerf width values of the cut workpieces with the specified parameters have been thoroughly examined. According to the results of the conducted investigations, an increase in laser power has been observed to lead to higher levels of hardness, roughness, and kerf values. On the other hand, an increase in cutting speed has resulted in a decrease in hardness, roughness, and kerf values. When gas pressure is increased, a decrease in hardness, along with an increase in roughness and kerf values, has been identified. The increase in material thickness has caused an elevation in kerf values. Keywords: Fiber laser, Laser cutting, Cutting parameters, Cutting speed, Auxiliary gas pressure, Kerf value.