The efect of CNC and manual laser machining on electrical resistance of HDPE/MWCNT composite

In this study, electrical conductivity of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite was investigated after laser machining. To this end, produced using plastic injection process, nano-composite samples were laser machined with various combinations of input parameters such as feed rate (35, 45, and 55 mm/min), feed angle with injection fow direction (0°, 45°, and 90°), and MWCNT content (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt%). The angle between laser feed and injected fow direction was set via either of two diferent methods: CNC programming and manual setting. The results showed that the parameters of angle between laser line and melt fow direction and feed rate were both found to have statistically signifcance and physical impacts on electrical resistance of the samples in manual setting. Also, maximum conductivity was seen when the angle between laser line and melt fow direction was set to 90° in manual setting, and maximum conductivity was seen at feed rate of 55 mm/min in both of CNC programming and manual setting.