Investigation of Effect of Laser Cutting Parameters on Microhardness and Average Kerf Width of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

Abstract

Titanium alloys, particularly Ti-6Al-4V alloy, are important materials due to their exceptional mechanical and chemical characteristics. They are employed in a wide range of high-strength and high-temperature applications, including ships, biomedical, and aerospace applications. Laser machines have recently been utilized to cut a variety of material types. Understanding how laser cutting settings affect cut surface quality is crucial. In this study, a 4 mm-thick sheet of Ti-6Al-4V alloy was cut. The cutting parameters were Laser power, cutting velocity, and assist gas pressure, while microhardness and average kerf width were the measured parameters. the main effective parameter for microhardness values is laser beam power followed by assist gas pressure and cutting velocity, while the main effective parameter for average kerf width is laser beam power followed by cutting velocity and assist gas pressure. The highest microhardness and average kerf width values of 332±10 HV and 909±16 μm, respectively, were observed at a laser power of 3 kW, a cutting speed of 1000 mm/min, and an auxiliary gas pressure of 10 bar. While the lowest microhardness and average kerf width values of 269±10 HV and 431.25±43.5 µm respectively, were observed at a laser power of 2 kW, a cutting speed of 1000 mm/min, and an auxiliary gas pressure of 6 bar.