The 3D surface morphological investigation of laser cutting process of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy sheet.

In laser cutting, process parameters have a significant effect on the surface properties of the material. The paper is concerned with the laser cutting process of the 2024-T3 aluminum alloy sheet. Laser power (1800 W, 2600 W, 3400 W) and cutting speed (3.5 m/min, 5 m/min, 6.5 m/min) were determined as process parameters, and the cutting process of 2 mm thick 2024-T3 aluminum alloy sheet was performed on the laser cutting machine. After the cutting process, surface morphology and heat-affected zone formation were examined by using an optical microscope and optical profilometer, and hardness measurement was carried out. The cutting is not performed at low laser power and high cutting speeds. The higher cutting speeds result in lower surface quality. The results highlighted that the optimum cutting parameters should be chosen. The highest quality cutting is realized at 2600 W - 5 m/min process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]