Estudio del proceso de corte láser de CO2 del material compuesto de matriz polimérica reforzada con cascarilla de arroz

Abstract

The CO2 laser cutting process, being widely used in the industrial field due to its excellent precision, accuracy and rapid processing to make the cut, was investigated in two polymeric compounds based on natural fibers (polyester matrix and epoxy matrix reinforced with rice husk), in order to evaluate the influence of the independent input variables (power and cutting speed) on the quality of laser cutting and additionally flammability tests were carried out for possible applications. The characteristics of the surface finish evaluated were the roughness of the cut surface and the thermal effect (surface temperature of the edge adjacent to the cut) that were made in the process. Twenty-six series of experimental tests were executed for each composite material, based on the central design composed by the response surface methodology (MSR). First-order response models were presented for surface temperatures and a second-order model for the roughness (Ra) of the surface manufactured by laser, and the adequacy of the models was verified through the analysis of variances (ANOVA). From the analysis, it was determined that in the polyester matrix composite material, better surface quality (lower roughness) and lower surface temperatures are presented in comparison with the epoxy matrix compound. Regarding the combustion rates that result from the flammability tests of both the polyester matrix compound (8.27 mm / min) and epoxy matrix (15.85 mm / min) it was determined that they are within the acceptable permissible range ( ≤100 mm / min and ≤250 mm / min) that must comply with the flammability of the materials inside the road vehicles.