How to correctly select auxiliary gas for fiber laser cutting machine?

The use of auxiliary gas can not only blow away the slag in the coaxial slot, but also cool the surface of the processed object, reduce the heat-affected zone, cool the focusing lens, and prevent smoke and dust from entering the lens holder to pollute the lens and cause the lens to overheat; In addition, some cutting gases can also protect the base material. The choice of gas pressure and type has a greater impact on the cutting process, and the choice of the type of auxiliary gas will have a certain impact on the cutting performance, including cutting speed, cutting thickness, etc.

 Features of auxiliary gas

1. Air

Air can be provided directly by an air compressor, so the price is very cheap compared with other gases. The cutting efficiency of air is far less than that of oxygen, and the cutting ability is similar to that of nitrogen. The end face of the incision is yellowed. A small amount of oxide film will appear on the cut surface, but it can be used as a measure to prevent the coating layer from falling off. The main applicable materials are aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless copper, brass, electroplated steel plate, non-metal, etc., However, when the quality of the cutting product is high, aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, etc. are not suitable for air, because air will oxidize the base material.

2. Nitrogen

Some metals use oxygen to form an oxide film on the cutting surface when cutting, and nitrogen can be used to prevent oxidation film from appearing in non-oxidation cutting. Therefore, it has the characteristics of direct welding and painting, and strong corrosion resistance. The end face of the incision is whitish. The main applicable plates are stainless steel, electroplated steel plate, brass, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.

3. Oxygen

Mainly used for laser cutting carbon steel. While the oxygen reaction heat is used to increase the cutting efficiency in a large format, the generated oxide film will increase the beam spectral absorption factor of the reflective material. The cut end is black or dark yellow. Mainly suitable for rolled steel, rolled steel for welding structure, carbon steel for mechanical structure, high tension plate, tool plate, stainless steel, electroplated steel plate, copper, copper alloy, etc.

4. Argon

Argon is an inert gas, used in laser cutting machine cutting to prevent oxidation and nitriding, and also used in welding. Compared with other processing gases, the price is high and the cost increases accordingly. The end face of the incision is whitish. The main applicable materials are titanium, titanium alloys and so on.