Laser cutting of kevlar laminates: first and second law analysis

Kevlar laminates are difficult to machine using conventional machining methods because of their thermal and mechanical properties. Laser cutting offers advantages over conventional machining methods, such as precision of operation, non-frictional processing, and operational cost. This provides the motivation for the present study, which reports on laser cutting of Kevlar laminates of different thicknesses. The first and second law efficiencies of the cutting process are formulated and predicted in line with the experimental parameters. The laser cut surfaces are examined using optical and electron scanning microscopes. It is demonstrated that the first and second law efficiencies improve at high laser cutting speeds and low laser output power levels. For these conditions parallel sided kerfs with no sideways burning are produced. © 2011 The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.