Laser cutting ZrO₂ ceramic with controlled fracture technique

The research about laser cutting technology based on controlled fracture method has great potential to cutting ceramics. The paper investigate the controlled fracture technology to ZrO₂ ceramic irradiated with Nd:YAG laser. In the experiment, laser energy produces a thermal stress that cause ceramic to separate along the moving path of laser beam. Graphite coated ceramic surface to improve the absorption rate for laser radiation. Optical microscope photographs and SEM of the separation surface are obtained to examine the surface quality. The surface qualities of ceramic obtained by laser and mechanical cutting are compared. Fracture propagation mechanism is studied by examining the temperature and stress fields using finite element software ANSYS12.1. The results show that good cutting quality of ceramic can be acquired by continuous Nd:YAG laser cutting with controlled fracture.