Are you looking to optimize your laser cutting process for various metals?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best practices for cutting stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum alloy, and brass using nitrogen, air, and oxygen as the cutting gases.
We’ve compiled tables detailing the optimal thickness, air pressure, and speed for each material and gas combination, along with the expected cutting effects such as smooth, burrs present, or bright surface.
Our aim is to help you achieve the perfect cut, minimize waste, and enhance your project’s overall efficiency.
So, let’s dive right into the world of laser cutting and see how these recommendations can take your work to the next level!
Cutting Stainless Steel With N2
| Material | Thickness (mm) | Gas | Air pressure (BAR) | Speed (m/min) (100 * 150 focal length) | Effect |
| stainless steel | 1 | nitrogen | 12 | 50-70 | smooth |
| 2 | 14 | 30-40 | smooth | ||
| 3 | 14 | 14-20 | smooth | ||
| 4 | 14 | 6.0-12.0 | smooth | ||
| 5 | 16 | 5.0-10.0 | smooth | ||
| 6 | 16 | 4.0-7.0 | smooth | ||
| 8 | 18 | 3.0-5.0 | smooth | ||
| 10 | 18 | 1.5-2.5 | smooth | ||
| 12 | 20 | 1.0-2.0 | There are some burrs | ||
| 14 | 20 | 0.8-1 | There are some burrs | ||
| 16 | 20 | 0.7-0.8 | Burrs present | ||
| 18 | 20 | 0.5-0.7 | Burrs present | ||
| 20 | 20 | 0.3-0.5 | Burrs present |
Cutting Stainless Steel With Air
| Material | Thickness (mm) | Gas | Air pressure (BAR) | Speed (m/min) (100 * 150 focal length) | Effect |
| stainless steel | 1 | air | 20 | 55-70 | smooth |
| 2 | 20 | 33-43 | smooth | ||
| 3 | 20 | 16-22 | smooth | ||
| 4 | 20 | 8-14.0 | smooth | ||
| 5 | 20 | 6-11 | smooth | ||
| 6 | 20 | 5-8 | smooth | ||
| 8 | 20 | 3.5-5.5 | smooth | ||
| 10 | 20 | 1.8-2.5 | smooth | ||
| 12 | 20 | 1.2-2.2 | There are some burrs | ||
| 14 | 20 | 0.9-1.2 | There are some burrs | ||
| 16 | 20 | 0.8-1 | Burrs present | ||
| 18 | 20 | 0.7-0.8 | Burrs present | ||
| 20 | 20 | 0.5-0.6 | Burrs present |
Cutting Carbon Steel With O2
| Material | Thickness (mm) | Gas | Air pressure (BAR) | Speed (m/min) (100 * 150 focal length) | Effect |
| carbon steel | 1 | oxygen | 1 | 10-16 | Bright surface |
| 2 | 1 | 5.0-8.0 | Bright surface | ||
| 3 | 0.85 | 3-5 | Bright surface | ||
| 5 | 0.75 | 3-4 | Bright surface | ||
| 6 | 0.75 | 2.5-3.5 | Bright surface | ||
| 8 | 0.7 | 2.0-2.8 | Bright surface | ||
| 10 | 0.7 | 1.0-2.1 | Bright surface | ||
| 12 | 0.7 | 1.0-2.0 | Bright surface | ||
| 14 | 0.7 | 0.8-1 | Semi bright surface | ||
| 16 | 0.7 | 0.7-0.9 | frosting | ||
| 18 | 0.7 | 0.7-0.8 | frosting | ||
| 20 | 0.7 | 0.6-0.8 | frosting | ||
| 22 | 0.7 | 0.5-0.7 | frosting | ||
| 25 | 0.7 | 0.4-0.6 | frosting |
Cutting Aluminum Alloy With N2
| Material | Thickness (mm) | Gas | Air pressure (BAR) | Speed (m/min) (100 * 150 focal length) | Effect |
| aluminum alloy | 1 | nitrogen | 12 | 50-70 | Soft bristle prickle |
| 2 | 14 | 25-35 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 3 | 14 | 15-25 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 4 | 14 | 13-18 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 5 | 14 | 6-10 | soft burrs | ||
| 6 | 16 | 4-6 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 8 | 18 | 2-3 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 10 | 18 | 1-2 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 12 | 20 | 0.8-1.5 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 14 | 20 | 0.8-1 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 16 | 20 | 0.6-0.8 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 18 | 20 | 0.5-0.7 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 20 | 20 | 0.3-0.5 | Soft bristle prickle |
Cutting Aluminum Alloy With O2
| Material | Thickness (mm) | Gas | Air pressure (BAR) | Speed (m/min) (100 * 150 focal length) | Effect |
| aluminium alloy | 1 | air | 20 | 50-70 | Soft bristle prickle |
| 2 | 20 | 25-35 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 3 | 20 | 15-25 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 4 | 20 | 13-18 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 5 | 20 | 6-10 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 6 | 20 | 4-6 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 8 | 20 | 2-3 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 10 | 20 | 1-2 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 12 | 20 | 0.8-1.5 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 14 | 20 | 0.8-1 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 16 | 20 | 0.6-0.8 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 18 | 20 | 0.5-0.7 | Soft bristle prickle | ||
| 20 | 20 | 0.3-0.5 | Soft bristle prickle |
Cutting Brass With N2
| Material | Thickness (mm) | Gas | Air pressure (BAR) | Speed (m/min) (100 * 125 focal length) | Effect |
| brass | 1 | nitrogen | 12 | 40-50 | smooth |
| 2 | 12 | 25-30 | smooth | ||
| 3 | 14 | 12.0-18 | smooth | ||
| 4 | 16 | 8-10 | Scraping hand | ||
| 5 | 18 | 6-8 | Scraping hand | ||
| 6 | 20 | 3.5-4.5 | Scraping hand | ||
| 8 | 20 | 1.5-3 | Scraping hand | ||
| 10 | 20 | 0.6-1.2 | Scraping hand |
Conclusion
Laser cutting technology has proven to be an invaluable tool in the manufacturing industry, allowing for precision and versatility in cutting various materials.
By understanding the right combination of gas, air pressure, and cutting speed for each material, you can optimize the cutting process and achieve the desired results.
This comprehensive guide has provided you with detailed information on cutting stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum alloy, and brass using nitrogen (N2), air, and oxygen (O2).
Apply these cutting parameters to your projects to enhance efficiency, improve the final finish, and minimize defects.
