<title>New pulsed YAG laser performances in cutting thick metallic materials for nuclear applications</title>

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacities of the pulsed YAG laser thick cutting on metallic material and to compare with the CO<SUB>2</SUB> laser capacities. Stainless steel cutting tests were made in air and underwater using CO<SUB>2</SUB> and YAG lasers. A performance assessment was made for each laser and the wastes produced in the cutting operation were measured and the gases and the aerosols analyzed. The results showed that the pulsed YAG laser is high performance tool for thick cutting and particularly attractive for nuclear applications.