Uses and characteristics of different auxiliary gases

Fiber laser cutting machines are mainly use air, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon as auxiliary. Let us introduce the uses and characteristics of different auxiliary gases for everyone.

1.Air

Air compressor can  provide air directly , compare to other gases,it is very cheap. Although the air contains about 20% oxygen, the cutting efficiency is far less than that of oxygen, and the cutting ability is similar to that of nitrogen. A small amount of oxide film appears on the cut surface, but it can prevent the coating film layer from falling off  as a measure . The end face of the incision is yellow.

The main applicable materials are aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless copper, brass, galvanize steel, non-metal, etc. However, when the quality requirements of the cutting products are high, aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, etc. are not suitable for air because Will oxidize the base material.

2.Nitrogen

Some metals use oxygen to form an oxide film on the cutting surface when cutting, and nitrogen can  prevent the oxidation-free cutting of the oxide film. Therefore, it has the characteristics that it can be directly welding and painting, and has strong corrosion resistance. The incision end surface is white.

The main applicable plates are stainless steel, galvanize steel, brass, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.

3.Oxygen

It is mainly use for fiber laser cutting of carbon steel. At the same time that the oxygen reaction heat large-format is used to improve the cutting efficiency, the resulting oxide film will increase the spectral absorption factor of the reflective material’s beam. The end face of the cut is black or dark yellow.

Mainly suitable for rolled steel, rolled steel for welded structure, carbon steel for mechanical structure, high tension plate, tool plate, stainless steel, electroplated steel plate, copper, copper alloy, etc.

4.Argon

Argon is an inert gas. It can prevent oxidation and nitridation in fiber laser cutting and is also can use in welding. Compared with other processing gases, the price is higher and the cost is increased accordingly. The incision end surface is white.

The main applicable materials are titanium and titanium alloys.