Why Does Laser Cutting Require Nitrogen Gas?

Why does laser cutting require nitrogen gas?

Laser cutting is a commonly used material processing technique, in which nitrogen is used as an auxiliary gas in some cases. The following are several reasons why laser cutting requires nitrogen gas:

1. Oxidation protection: In some metal cutting processes, laser cutting may generate high temperatures and react with oxygen in the air, leading to surface oxidation of the metal. By using nitrogen as an auxiliary gas, oxygen can be excluded from the cutting area, reducing the risk of metal oxidation and achieving cleaner cutting edges.

2. Cooling material: During laser cutting, nitrogen can be used to cool the cutting area to prevent material overheating and deformation. By spraying nitrogen gas into the cutting area, the molten metal can be quickly cooled, improving cutting speed and quality.

3. Drive away molten material: When laser cutting metal, the molten metal generated may adhere to the cutting area, affecting the cutting process and results. By using nitrogen as an auxiliary gas, molten metal can be quickly driven out of the cutting area to maintain its cleanliness.

4. Gas protection: In the cutting process of certain special materials, nitrogen can provide gas protection to prevent the cutting area from reacting with oxygen or other gases in the surrounding environment. This is very important for the cutting of some highly reactive materials to avoid a decrease in material quality or contamination of the cutting area.

Whether nitrogen gas is needed during laser cutting and the method of using nitrogen gas depends on the type, thickness, and cutting requirements of the material. Different applications may require the use of different gases, such as oxygen, argon, or carbon dioxide. Therefore, in specific laser cutting applications, it is recommended to follow the recommendations and guidelines of the equipment manufacturer to ensure the best cutting effect and safety.

What is the biggest advantage of laser cutting for materials?

1. Prevent oxidation: Using nitrogen as an auxiliary gas can effectively prevent the oxidation of metal materials during laser cutting. At high temperatures, metals react with oxygen in the air, leading to oxidation and affecting cutting quality and surface smoothness. By eliminating oxygen and replacing it with nitrogen, oxidation problems can be avoided, resulting in cleaner and more precise cutting edges.

2. Improve cutting quality: Using nitrogen as an auxiliary gas can improve the quality of laser cutting. The cooling effect of nitrogen can reduce the heat affected area of the cutting area and reduce the risk of material deformation. In addition, by driving away molten metal and smoke, nitrogen can maintain the cleanliness of the cutting area, ensuring the smoothness and accuracy of the cutting edges.

3. Increase cutting speed: Using nitrogen as an auxiliary gas can increase the speed of laser cutting. The cooling effect of nitrogen can accelerate the solidification process of molten metal, making the cutting speed faster. This is very important for large-scale or high production efficiency cutting tasks, which can save time and costs.

5. Suitable for special materials: Some special materials, such as stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc., are easily affected by oxidation and are prone to producing an oxide layer during laser cutting. Using nitrogen as an auxiliary gas can effectively avoid oxidation issues of these materials, ensuring cutting quality and surface smoothness.

Using nitrogen as an auxiliary gas for laser cutting machines can improve cutting quality, speed, and applicability. It can reduce oxidation, lower the heat affected area, keep the cutting area clean, and is suitable for various materials, especially for materials that are prone to oxidation. The advantage of nitrogen is more significant.