Analysis of heat-affected zone formation for laser cutting of stainless steel

Abstract

A numerical study has been performed for the development of the heat-affected zone during the laser cutting of 304 stainless steel. This numerical study uses an analytical solution of the energy balance at the cutting front surface to determine the steady-state kerf shape. For a constant workpiece velocity, a transient numerical model can be made up for a two-dimensional plane normal to the workpiece velocity. From the time-temperature response of the workpiece material in this plane, the extent of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) can be determined. The results obtained through laser cutting experiments show good agreement with numerical estimates of the HAZ extent, as defined by grain refinement, impurities and possible carbide precipitation in stainless steel 304. This method also provide a computationally-efficient method compared with three-dimensional finite-element analysis.