Laser Cutting CFRP

Watch 2mm thick Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composite material being cut using a 355nm pulsed UV laser.

60W of average power was used. This type of CFRP material is used typically in the construction of aerospace frames of new aircrafts and other weight to strength critical applications.

The UV or green wavelengths absorb the carbon fibres and binder material alike. The pulses lasting only a few tens of nanoseconds with peak power of ~100kW cut the fibres and material before any heat dissipates into the bulk material. Therefore cuts with minimum heat affected zone and kerf can be achieved.

‍