Laser cutting of 2024-T3 aeronautic aluminum alloy

Abstract

Articles you may be interested inThermal stress distributions and microstructure in laser cutting of thin Al-Si alloy sheet J. Laser Appl. 25, 042006 (2013); 10.2351/1.4807081 Spatial analysis of the back reflected laser light during CO2-laser cutting of metal sheets J. Laser Appl. 25, 012001 (2013); 10.2351/1.4765818Comprehensive assessment of the C O 2 laser cut quality of ceramics with different assist gas injection systems Since the beginning of the aeronautic industry, aluminum alloys have played a crucial role in its development. Nowadays, different aluminum alloy families are the base material of many pieces of aerospace vehicles. In this work, a novel approach to process aluminum alloys is explored. The authors efforts are aimed to cut 2024-T3 plates by a CO 2 laser. They used a novel laser cutting head assisted by a gas jet working in supersonic regime in order to accomplish this objective. This supersonic nozzle and the intrinsic geometry of the cutting head allow carrying out the processing of these alloys more efficiently than conventional cutting heads. The microstructural characterization, grain morphology, kerf dimensions, and surface finish of the cuts have been analyzed. The cut edges are free of dross and cracks and the heat affected zone is negligible. These successful results confirm laser cutting processing assisted by a supersonic assisting gas jet as a promising technique in the aerospace field.

Parametric investigation of CO2 laser cutting of 2024-T3 alloy

“…Combination of these adverse aerodynamic phenomena induces instabilities in the gas flow inside the kerf. This ultimately produces the flow separation from the cutting front (Riveiro et al, 2008). Assist gas flow downstream the separation is unsteady, chaotic and transformed into a turbulent regimen.…”

CO2 laser cutting of natural granite

“…The relevance of the assist gas role is highlighted with this result. Utilization of conventional nozzles to inject the assist gas probably lead to lower cut quality; sonic jets produced by these nozzles have a lower drag capacity of molten material as pointed out by Riveiro et al [32].…”

Location Issues of Thin Shell Parts in the Reconfigurable Fixture for Trimming Operation

“…The accuracy of their shape and dimension and the integrity of their surfaces and edges are extremely stringent. For instance, laser cutting of high-strength aluminum alloys for aerospace applications has been limited, due to its inevitable heat-affected zone (Riveiro et al, 2008). Therefore, the periphery cutting of aircraft skins mainly employs the machining method or the water jet cutting method.…”