Laser cutting of different polymeric plastics (PE, PP and PC) by a CO2 laser beam

This work investigates the application of the CO2 laser cutting process to three thermoplastic polymers, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC) in different thicknesses ranging from 2 to 10 mm. The process parameters examined were: laser power, range of cutting speed, type of focusing lens, pressure and flow of the covering gas, thickness of the samples. Furthermore, the values of kerf widths on top (Lsup) and bottom (Linf) thicknesses, the melted transverse area, the melted volume per unit time and surface roughness values (Ra) on cut edges were also measured.