CO2 laser cut quality of Inconel 718 nickel - based superalloy

This paper experimentally investigates the cut quality of laser cutting for the age hardened Inconel 718 nickel based super alloy, with the use of a continuous CO2 4.0 kW laser cutting system. The quality of the cut has been monitored by measuring the kerf taper ratio, the recast layer thickness and the surface roughness of the cut specimens. The effects of processing parameters, such as the laser power, the cutting speed and the assisting gas pressure were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrography (EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Knoop hardness tests are carried out to examine the cutting defects, the kerf size variation and formed carbide on the surfaces. A statistical analysis of the results has been performed in order for the effect of each parameter on the cutting quality to be determined. The regression analysis has been used for the development of empirical models able to describe the effect of the process parameters on the quality of laser cutting. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.