Introduction to Titanium Laser Cutting

When you have titanium products to be cut, you will surely think of water jet cutting, sawing, wire cutting and laser cutting. This article will provide a detailed introduction to titanium laser cutting. Let’s learn together!

The basic principle of titanium laser cutting

Titanium laser cutting involves irradiating the workpiece with a high-energy and high-density laser beam with professional laser cutting machine. The surface of the irradiated workpiece will immediately vaporize or melt, causing molten material to appear at the irradiated area. At this point, high-pressure inert gases such as argon or nitrogen are used to blow away the molten material, and the cutting seam is formed at this moment, thus achieving the purpose of cutting.

The characteristics of titanium laser cutting

The advantages of titanium laser cutting

• The quality and precision of the cutting are very high.

Titanium laser cutting is a non-contact cutting method, so for titanium products, the cutting tolerance is small and the precision is high.

• Exquisite incision

Will not come into contact with the workpiece, the cut is very smooth, and there is no wear on the surface of the workpiece.

• Can cut any shape

Titanium laser cutting can be used for various materials and shapes of titanium products, with a wide range of applications.

• High degree of automation

Titanium laser cutting uses a fiber laser cutter for cutting, which only requires controlling the cutting machine, machine tool, and control system.

• High efficiency

Using titanium laser cutting machines for cutting has high operational efficiency and can be done in batches.

• The incision can be directly welded

The cut weld seam can be welded again, and the incision is very suitable for welding. This is a good cutting method for titanium products that require re welding processing.

Disadvantages of titanium laser cutting

• The supply cost of inert gases is high.

During titanium laser cutting, it is necessary to introduce inert gas to assist in the cutting operation, so there is a great demand for the supply of inert gas.

• Poor thermal conductivity.

Heat is unbearable for titanium materials. This means that when using laser cutting for titanium, if the parameter settings are not reasonable, heat will accumulate and create a heat affected zone, resulting in deformation or cracking of the titanium workpiece.

• Easy to undergo chemical reactions.

Because titanium material has high chemical activity, it is particularly prone to react with oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases. This will cause the incision to become brittle. In addition, there are also issues such as the oxide layer being too thick after the reaction.

• Too thick sheets cannot be cut

For titanium plates or titanium processed parts with a thickness exceeding 30mm, the cutting speed of the titanium laser cutting machines will significantly slow down, and the resulting cut surface will not be very vertical and rough. Therefore, fiber laser cutters can only cut titanium plates or workpieces below 20-30mm.

Precautions for titanium laser cutting

• Control the power of the laser beam.

The higher the power of the laser beam, the greater the thickness that can be cut, and the cutting speed will also increase. So it is necessary to control the power reasonably according to the cut board.

• Control cutting speed

Incomplete cutting is caused by a cutting speed that is too fast, but if the cutting speed is too slow, it can also result in excessive heat input.

• Control the type and pressure of auxiliary gas

Suitable inert gas should be prepared during cutting. The pressure should also be adjusted moderately, not too high or too low. If the pressure of the auxiliary gas is too high, it will interfere with the laser beam, thereby affecting the cutting effect.

• Reasonably set parameters and focus positions

The focus setting should be accurate, otherwise it will affect the width and cutting effect of the incision.

The parameters of laser power, pressure, and speed during the cutting process need to be finely set according to the thickness of the sheet in order to achieve the best cutting effect.

Commonly used titanium laser cutting machines

• Fiber laser

The continuous output power of fiber lasers can reach kilowatts, and the beam quality is very good. Commonly used for laser marking, cutting, and welding, such as laser marking of titanium elbows, titanium fasteners, titanium scooter bars, and other products.

• CO₂ laser

The continuous output power of CO2 laser can reach over 20 kilowatts, with an energy conversion efficiency of 30% -40%. It has good beam quality and coherence,

In addition to CO₂ laser cutting of titanium, CO₂ laser cutting is also used for other metal and non-metal cutting or drilling.

• Disc laser

It can achieve an average power output of kilowatts, adapt to high heat, and operate at high power. Commonly used in scientific research fields, high-precision cutting and welding.

Application of Titanium Laser Cutting

• Aerospace field

Titanium laser cutting is commonly used in the manufacturing of aircraft engine turbine blades, casings, aircraft skins, casings, cabin doors, brackets, and other components.

• Medical field

Titanium is commonly used in orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, dental implants, etc., and titanium laser cutting technology can form smooth and beautiful incisions and complex shapes during the processing of these products.

• Military Industry and National Defense

Titanium materials also have rich applications in the military and defense fields, commonly used in the manufacturing of armored vehicle components, bulletproof protective equipment, missile shells, and more. Titanium laser cutting can achieve the desired contour and shape of military parts.

• High end consumer goods and sports equipment

Titanium is also commonly used in the manufacturing of casings for mobile phones, laptops, cameras, and sports equipment including: titanium golf ball heads, titanium bicycle racks, titanium scooter bars, titanium eyeglass frames, titanium hiking poles, etc. The manufacturing of these products requires titanium laser cutting to form smooth and beautiful edges.

• Chemical and Ocean Engineering

Titanium tubes, titanium plates, titanium elbows, titanium anodes, titanium flanges, titanium fasteners, titanium heat exchangers, titanium seawater desalination devices, etc. are commonly used in the fields of chemical or marine engineering. Laser cutting can ensure precise dimensions.

What are the other cutting methods for titanium?

• mechanical cutting

Including cutting methods such as turning, milling, sawing, and shearing.

• Water jet cutting

During water jet cutting, ultra-high pressure water mixed with abrasive is used, and then sprayed out at high speed through an extremely fine nozzle to cut titanium materials. Commonly used for cutting thicker titanium plates.

• Plasma cutting

The principle of plasma cutting is to use plasma arc to melt titanium metal and complete cutting, where the formation of plasma arc requires ionized gas. It is usually used for cutting and cutting ultra thick titanium plates.

• Wire cutting

The principle of wire cutting is to achieve cutting effect by corroding titanium products under high temperature environment. Its electrode is molybdenum wire, and the high temperature is caused by pulsed spark discharge. Wire cutting is commonly used for thick titanium materials, such as titanium plates, titanium rods, or other thick titanium workpieces.

Conclusion

Titanium laser cutting is actually a method of cutting titanium materials using a laser beam. Because the cutting process does not come into contact with the surface of the titanium workpiece, the cut surface is very beautiful, and the dimensions are precise with small tolerances. If you have high requirements for cutting, we recommend choosing titanium laser cutting.

FAQ

What titanium products can be laser cutting?

Titanium tableware, Titanium cutting boards, titanium eyeglass frames, titanium rings, titanium pendants, titanium mountain buckles, titanium watch cases, and more all use laser cutting to ensure ultra-high precision and complex pattern formation.

Besides,titanium tubes, titanium plates, titanium rods, titanium elbows,titanium flanges, titanium fasteners, titanium forged rings, titanium machined part more can all be cut using titanium laser cutting.

If I need to cut a titanium plate with a thickness of 40mm, can laser cutting be used?

Of course not. Because laser cutting can only cut plates with a thickness of less than 30mm, if a 40mm titanium plate is cut with a laser, the incision will be very rough. Water jet cutting can be used.

Can oxygen be used instead of argon or nitrogen during titanium laser cutting?

Absolutely not. Because titanium easily reacts with oxygen, it can cause the surface of the workpiece to turn black, greatly affecting the cutting quality. So inert gases (argon or nitrogen) must be used as auxiliary gases.

Can both pure titanium and titanium alloys be cut by titanium laser?

Yes, both pure titanium and titanium alloys can be cut by titanium laser. Moreover, pure titanium has better adaptability and the cutting quality of titanium alloys is also good. Laser cutting of titanium alloys is often used in the aerospace field.