Stainless steel and carbon steel are two common materials in metal processing. In the laser cutting process, due to differences in material properties, melting point, thermal conductivity, etc., their cutting methods and process requirements are also different. Reasonable selection of cutting methods and parameters is the key to ensuring cutting quality and efficiency.
1. Stainless steel laser cutting method
Stainless steel has high strength and low thermal conductivity. During processing, heat is concentrated and the cutting seam is narrow. It is suitable for high-pressure nitrogen assisted cutting. Nitrogen plays a role in isolating air and preventing oxidation during the cutting process, making the cut section smooth and clean, without oxide layer and discoloration. It is widely used in industries with high requirements for appearance and welding performance, such as kitchenware, medical equipment, decorations, etc.
For occasions with high cost requirements but not strict surface requirements, oxygen can also be used to cut stainless steel, but there will be an obvious oxide layer on the cutting edge, and the surface is yellow-black, which requires post-processing and polishing.
2. Carbon steel laser cutting method
Carbon steel is relatively easier to cut due to its good light absorption and thermal conductivity. The commonly used method is oxygen-assisted cutting. While the laser irradiates the melted material, oxygen and metal undergo a violent oxidation reaction, releasing a large amount of heat energy and accelerating the cutting process. This method is highly efficient and suitable for rapid cutting of medium and thick plates. It is widely used in industries such as structural parts and machinery manufacturing.
For thin carbon steel plates or parts with high requirements for cutting edges, nitrogen cutting can also be used to avoid oxidation and improve the quality of the cutting seam, but the cost is relatively high.
3. Precautions and process differences
When cutting stainless steel, special attention should be paid to the nozzle distance, focus position and air pressure setting to prevent slag and discoloration.
When cutting carbon steel, appropriate oxygen pressure and nozzle diameter should be selected according to the plate thickness to ensure sufficient combustion and smooth cross-section.
Under the same power conditions, the cutting efficiency of carbon steel is usually higher than that of stainless steel.
In short, in laser cutting, stainless steel is more suitable for nitrogen protection cutting to pursue quality; carbon steel is more suitable for oxygen cutting to pursue efficiency. Reasonable selection according to material properties and application requirements is the key to achieving high-quality laser processing.
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