Laser cutting machines are widely used in the metal processing industry due to their high photoelectric conversion rate, low power loss, fast cutting speed, small cutting seams, good spot quality, and can be used for fine cutting. However, although laser cutting machines can cut most metal materials, each material has its own characteristics. So, in the process of laser cutting machine cutting, which gas should be specifically selected for different metal materials?

1. Carbon steel. Generally, laser cutting machines use different gases for cutting carbon steel materials due to different thicknesses. When using oxygen for cutting, the cutting edge will slightly oxidize. For plates with a thickness of 4mm, high-pressure cutting using nitrogen as the processing gas will have the best effect, and the cutting edge will not be oxidized. For plates with a thickness greater than 10mm, using specialized laser electrode plates and applying oil on the surface of the workpiece during the processing can also achieve good results.

2. Stainless steel. When the edge oxidation of the cut material does not matter, oxygen can be used for laser cutting of stainless steel; If it is necessary to obtain edges free of oxidation and burrs, it is recommended to use nitrogen gas cutting.

3. Aluminum. Among metal materials, aluminum has high reflectivity and thermal conductivity. Generally, when the thickness of the aluminum plate is less than 6mm, it can still be cut by a laser cutting machine, depending on the alloy type and laser ability. When oxygen cutting, the cutting surface will be rough and hard; When using nitrogen, the cutting surface is relatively smooth. Pure aluminum has high purity and is difficult to cut. Only when installing a "reflection absorption" device on the fiber laser cutting machine system can aluminum be cut, otherwise it may easily damage the laser equipment components.

4. Copper and brass. Copper and brass are also highly reactive and thermally conductive materials. Brass with a thickness of less than 1mm can be cut using nitrogen laser cutting; Copper with a thickness less than 2mm can also be cut, and oxygen must be used for laser cutting.