Experimental Investigation and Mathematical Modeling of Heat Distribution on a Laser-Treated PMMA Surface

Micrometer-scale holes were created on the plate of poly(methyl methacrylate)-PMMA with a carbon dioxide laser. The resulting holes were examined, and mathematical modeling of the formation of the holes was made. The Fourier finite difference and then the least-squares method were used to model the heat dissipation along the line on the PMMA surface. Fourier finite difference and least squares methods were used to examine the effect of laser beam power on the dimensions of the laser-produced hole and to model the heat dissipation. Thermo-physical properties of PMMA, such as heat transfer coefficient and absorption coefficient, were also taken into account and used in the modeling. Before creating the mathematical model, firstly, a laser beam with a power of 52 W was applied to the polymer material. The numerical values obtained as a result of the measurements made with the cavity that was created with laser were used in the proposed mathematical model. Then, the cavity was created using a lower laser power (39 W) to prove that the mathematical model is suitable mathematical model. Measurements were made on the cavity obtained, and the results obtained with the model were compared. Similarly, to prove the reliability of the model, two more cavities were created using two higher laser power (65 and 78 W). Measurements were made on these cavities, and the results were compared with the results obtained with the mathematical model. It has been reported that the experimental results and the results obtained with the mathematical model are in agreement.