Oxygen or Nitrogen? Here we will explain what is important when choosing the technical gas for laser cutting
Material removal is done by blowing during laser cutting. This is understood as the removal of material by heating, which ultimately results in the cutting of the material during laser cutting. To protect the tool and avoid pitting, the cutting gap is blown parallel to the cutting gas.
Choosing the right gas for cutting
Depending on the metal and its chemical properties, a suitable technical gas for laser cutting is selected to prevent oxidation of the cutting surface. Nitrogen is usually the choice for stainless steel and aluminum because it is very inert and does not react with the molten metal. For steel, oxygen is used, but in some cases nitrogen is also used. Gas pressure, purity and quantity are checked during the machining process to obtain an optimal result and a clean cutting edge.
Laser cutting by burning
For metals with a high iron content, laser cutting by burning is applicable. Oxygen is used as a technical cutting gas, mainly for machining carbon steel. First, the laser beam penetrates the metal and subsequently heats it. Oxygen is blown into the notch under high pressure. The heated metal then reacts with the oxygen, burns and releases energy.
Laser cutting by melting
Laser cutting by melting guarantees consistently high cutting quality and exceptional precision. Nitrogen is used in cutting, mainly for aluminum and stainless steel, but sometimes for steel. The laser cutting process is by melting and using the laser beam to melt metal along the cutting contour. The melt obtained during the process is blown by a gas jet.
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