Seleção de gás auxiliar para corte a laser de aço galvanizado

Auxiliary gas selection for laser cutting of galvanized steel

Nowadays, the use of laser cutting in sheet metal companies has become common.

One of the advantages of laser cutting is that it is a non-contact processing method, which means it does not damage the surface of the board and there are no burrs on the cut sections. This method can significantly reduce the need for subsequent processing.

However, laser cutting also faces several practical challenges that can be difficult to overcome. This article will focus on the difficulties and solutions of cutting galvanized steel sheets, which are widely used in daily processing.

As we know, the purpose of galvanized steel plates is to protect the carbon steel inside, coating the surface with a layer of zinc that prevents rust over time. Although these plates are a little more expensive than regular carbon steel plates, they are economical in terms of the overall product cost as they do not require additional processes such as spraying for rust prevention.

However, the situation changes after laser processing. When it comes to choosing auxiliary gas, there are generally three cutting processes for galvanized steel plates: air cutting, oxygen cutting and nitrogen cutting.

Auxiliary gas selection for laser cutting of galvanized steel sheets

Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these three cutting processes:

Air cut:

The advantage of air cutting is the low processing cost. It only requires the cost of electricity for the laser and air compressor, eliminating the need for expensive auxiliary gas. However, its cutting efficiency for thin sheets can be comparable to nitrogen cutting, making it an economical and efficient method.

Despite the cost benefits, air cutting also has clear disadvantages. Firstly, it produces inferior burrs on the cut sections, requiring secondary deburring processes that are not conducive to the production cycle. Secondly, air-cut sections are prone to darkening, affecting the quality of the final product.

As a result, many companies avoid air cutting when processing galvanized steel plates, as this does not fully demonstrate the advantages of laser processing, such as reducing the need for subsequent processing.

Oxygen Cutoff:

Oxygen cutting is the most traditional and conventional cutting method. Its advantage lies in the low cost of gas and the convenience of factory management, as it does not require frequent exchange of auxiliary gases in the processing of metal sheets, mainly carbon steel.

However, the disadvantage of oxygen cutting is that it leaves an oxide film on the surface of the cut section. If this oxide film product is welded directly, the oxide film will eventually peel off over time, contributing to the ease of welding on galvanized sheets.

Nitrogen Cutoff:

Nitrogen is used for high-speed processing. Unlike oxygen, which aids combustion, nitrogen plays a protective role in the cutting process, preventing the formation of an oxide film on the cut section. This advantage has made nitrogen a popular choice for cutting galvanized steel sheets among many companies.

However, nitrogen cutting also has its disadvantages. The unprotected cutting section is susceptible to rust, requiring additional rust prevention measures such as spraying. This negates the benefits of the galvanized layer, meaning that the higher cost of galvanized sheet is not fully justified.

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