Investigation of the surface integrity of laser-cut ceramic

The paper intends to address the effects of laser machining on ceramic surfaces by evaluating the surface integrity of machined ceramics in terms of surface morphology, and flexural strength and its variances, under various machining conditions, a Weibull modulus 'm' being introduced to measure the degree of variation in strength. Experimental results show that the damage to the ceramic, and the flexural strength and its Weibull modulus, are determined by the parameters of the laser beam. In general, the thermally-affected layer and cracks in this layer of laser-cut ceramic surfaces are critical, and need to be modified properly.