Diode laser ablation machining of 316L stainless steel powder/polymer composite material Effect of powder geometry

This paper reports on the laser machining of 316L stainless steel by the ablation of a low temperature polymer binding material. This investigation compares the effect of powder geometry on laser machinabilty. It was found that only spherical powders can be effectively removed using this technique, whilst irregular powders formed mechanical interlock due to compaction which hindered the material removal, hence the formation of doss. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.