Numerical Simulation of Laser Beam Cutting of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics

Abstract

Numerical Simulation of laser beam cutting of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is performed. It is important to understand the mechanism about generation of heat-affected zone (HAZ) in order to improve quality of CFRP cutting by laser. However, only a little theoretical or numerical studies about HAZ formation were performed. Especially, there is no research considering heat generation of oxidization of materials in the air condition. To develop the new calculation model to consider the effect of combustion and decomposition of each element of CFRP, thermo gravidity analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) was performed about CFRP in the air condition. Finite difference method is applied to calculate heat transfer inside CFRP and succeeded in simulating HAZ formation. Finally, comparing with the results of experiments and our simulation, our calculation model is verified and what occurs inside CFRP after laser irradiation is explained.