Analysis of the microstructural influence by laser cutting velocity.

This research evaluates the influence of the CO2 laser cutting velocity in the heat-affected zone in a low-carbon steel. The control of laser cutting parameters is essential to ensure that the properties required in the material have not been affected, and avoid additional grinding processes on the cut surfaces. Morphologic, mechanic and microstructural tests were used to prove the influence of cutting process and its velocity on heat-affected zone. Transformation from ferritic into pearlitic structure and reduction in grain size were analyzed. Also, was evaluated a rise in hardness due to phase transformation. Better cutting conditions were evidenced in samples using a cutting velocity of 80 mm/s because the mean hardness obtained allow infer a good relation of properties and a smaller heat affected zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]