Why use auxiliary gas when cutting metal materials with optical fiber laser cutter?
First of all, the auxiliary gas can react with the metal materials, thus increasing the working capacity.
Second, air can be used to purge the slag and clean the cutting joints.
Third, the gas will cool the area around the cutting seam, thus avoiding changes in the shape of the material.
Last but not least, protect the focusing lens from the combustion products caused by the high temperature of the laser beam. Generally, oxygen, nitrogen and air are auxiliary gases for fiber laser cutting.
Why do optical fiber laser cutting machines use auxiliary gas?
Their functions are as follows.
N2: When cutting nonferrous metals such as stainless steel and aluminum plates, nitrogen must be used to cool and protect materials. As such materials are easily blackened by oxygen, the use of nitrogen can avoid such blackening.
Applicable materials: aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, galvanized steel plate, brass
O2: Oxygen must be used when cutting carbon steel. As there are many carbonaceous impurities in carbon steel, the use of O2 can greatly improve the burning speed, thus speeding up the cutting speed. However, there is a disadvantage that the cut surface will appear black or light yellow.
Applicable materials: stainless steel, carbon steel.
Air: air can be provided by air compressor at a very low price. Although there is about 20% oxygen in the air, the cutting efficiency is far lower than that of oxygen, almost the same as that of nitrogen. The cut surface is displayed in yellow. Applicable materials: aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, galvanized steel plate, nonmetal, etc
Argon: very expensive, which can prevent oxidation and nitridation. The cut surface is yellow. Mainly used for titanium and titanium alloys.