Sublimation Cutting

During laser beam sublimation cutting, the workpiece is converted from the solid to the gaseous aggregate state in the area of the kerf due to the influence of laser radiation. According to the type of material to be cut, the transformation from the solid to gaseous aggregate state occurs through vaporization (e.g. Plexiglas), sublimation (e.g. graphite) or, in most cases, through chemical decomposition (e.g. polymers, wood). In the last case, complex molecules are decomposed into smaller molecules and the vaporization of volatile components occurs. Since the transition of the workpiece into the gaseous phase does not solely occur through sublimation, one also calls sublimation cutting as “laser vaporization cutting.”