Influence of Nano-SiC reinforcement during laser cutting of magnesium AS21-Bimodal SiC composites

ABSTRACT

In the current scenario, industries face new challenges in cutting metal-based composites with good surface texture. The experimental investigation on laser cutting of magnesium AS2-Bimodal SiC composites is reported in the present work. Three bimodal compositions with varying proportions of micro-nano SiC reinforcement (75%-25%, 50%-50% and 25%-75%) were dispersed in AS21 alloy by stir-casting route. The comparison of quality characteristics such as surface roughness, kerf deviation and edge slope has been done to examine the behaviour of bimodal reinforcement with different laser cutting parameters. The experimental strategy was implemented based on the Taguchi L₁₈ mixed design. The microstructure and cutting surface morphology has been analysed using OM, SEM and TEM. The results demonstrated that the AS21 composite with a bimodal structure of 75 vol.% micro-SiC and 25 vol.% nano-SiC showed better performance characteristics of CO₂ laser cutting system due to uniform grain structure and homogeneous dispersion of nano-SiC reinforcement.

KEYWORDS:

• AS21 alloy
• laser beam machining
• nano reinforcement
• agglomeration
• Taguchi model

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.