Resonant polymer ablation using a compact 3.44μm fiber laser

In this experimental study, we investigate polymer ablation with a novel fiber laser source emitting at 3.44μm, a wavelength resonant with the CH bond fundamental stretching frequency of widespread polymer materials. The wavelength of the laser and the heating regime in the material are found to pla...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of materials processing technology Vol. 252; pp. 813 - 820
Main Authors Frayssinous, Clément, Fortin, Vincent, Bérubé, Jean-Philippe, Fraser, Alex, Vallée, Réal
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 01.02.2018
Subjects
Fiber lasers
Infrared and far-infrared lasers
Laser materials processing
Polymers
Polymers
Laser materials processing
Infrared and far-infrared lasers
Fiber lasers
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Summary:In this experimental study, we investigate polymer ablation with a novel fiber laser source emitting at 3.44μm, a wavelength resonant with the CH bond fundamental stretching frequency of widespread polymer materials. The wavelength of the laser and the heating regime in the material are found to play key roles in the ablation process of polymers. We compare the results from two series of experiments performed, with both the 3.44μm fiber laser and a CO2 laser at 10.6μm, on three common polymers: poly(methyl methacrylate), polypropylene and polyethylene. The ablation thresholds, its efficiency as well as the morphology of laser-induced grooves are evaluated experimentally. Polymer processing with mid-IR fiber lasers could be applied to a wide variety of compositions and has a strong potential for applications.
ISSN:0924-0136
DOI:10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2017.10.051