The influence of laser cutting quality on the friction of workpieces

Abstract

Stainless steel valves in fluid distribution systems are very popular nowadays. Various cutting technologies are used to produce these valves. Flat valves with the complex profile are produced using final laser cutting. Using this technology, a very good cut with a clean lower edge of the cut is obtained. This work focuses on physical and technological conditions, which ensure good quality of the cut: effective formation of gas flow in front of and behind the cut slot; composition of gas flow used in cutting process; formation of erosion products with highest concentration of iron oxides on the lower edge of the cut. In this work, size and composition of erosion products as well as formation conditions of these products were established. Erosion products highly influence tribological properties of the cut edge.