Experimental and Computational Investigations on the Quality Characteristics of Laser Beam Machined Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced with ZrO 2 Particles

The research work explores the parametric influence of laser input variables on surface roughness and heat affected zone width. The workpiece material used as metal matrix aluminum 5052 alloy reinforced with ZrO2 particles. The computational analysis has been carried out using finite element method by taking laser power and arc radius profiles as variables. The mathematical model has been generated using Box-Behnken method for the analysis of variance. The machined samples have been analyzed using optical microscope and surface tester for measurement of quality characteristics. It has been analyzed that the effect of interaction of parameters has significant effect on surface roughness and heat affected zone width. Moreover, the influence of laser cutting speed, quantity of reinforced particles and laser cut path profile proved to be significant parameters for quality characteristics. The von-misses stress and temperature values found to be highest in case of complex cutting profiles as compared to linear trajectories.