High-quality laser cutting of stainless steel in inert gas atmosphere by ytterbium fibre and CO2 lasers

Processes of cutting stainless steel by ytterbium fibre and CO₂ lasers have been experimentally compared. The cut surface roughnesses for 3- and 5-mm-thick stainless steel sheets are determined. The absorption coefficient of laser radiation during cutting is measured. It is established that the power absorbed by metal during cutting by the CO₂ laser exceeds that for the ytterbium laser (provided that the cutting speed remains the same). The fact that the maximum cutting speed of the CO₂ laser is lower than that of the ytterbium fibre laser is explained.