Laser Beam Machining
5.2.1 Introduction
Modern machining methods are established to fabricate difficult-to-machinematerials such as high-strength thermal-resistant alloys; various kinds ofcarbides, fiber-reinforced composite materials, Stellites, and ceramics.Conventional machining of such materials produces high cutting forcesthat, in some particular cases, may not be sustained by the workpiece.Laser beam machining (LBM) offers a good solution that is indeed moreassociated with material properties such as thermal conductivity and spe-cific heat as well as melting and boiling temperatures.Laser is the abbreviation of light amplification by stimulated emis-sion of radiation. A highly collimated, monochromatic, and coherentlight beam is generated and focused to a small spot. High power densi-ties (106W/mm2) are then obtained. A large variety of lasers are avail-able in the market including solid-state, ion, and molecular types in either continuous wave (CW) or pulsedmode (PM) of operation as shownin Table 5.2. Lasers are widely used in many industrial applicationsincluding plating, heat treatment, cladding, alloying, welding, andmachining.