Laser Cutting

Air Products offers a full range of pure assist gases for laser cutting of all material types available in a range of convenient and cost effective gas supply options. Cost effective, consistent and un-interrupted high volume gas supply is key to making sure that laser cutting systems achieve maximum up-time and productivity. At Air Products we focus on this key requirement with special high volume/high pressure installations, the industries largest cylinder packs and innovative high pressure cryogenic liquid delivery systems.

When laser cutting metals, a cutting gas is used, which flows out of the nozzle. The cutting gas not only protects the lens from fumes and spatter, it also cools the edges of the kerf, blows away molten metal and oxides from the kerf. And if oxygen is used, it also contributes to the cutting process by reacting with the metal to be cut. In laser oxygen cutting, the additional heat input from the oxidization of the metal is used to obtain high cutting speeds or to cut thicker material. This process fits only with mild steel and low-alloyed steel.

Gases used:
• Carbon and low alloy steels – oxygen or nitrogen (high pressure)
• Stainless steels, aluminium & alloys – nitrogen (high pressure)
• Magnesium, titanium & other reactive materials – argon (high pressure)

Each gas has unique properties which make it the preferred assist gas for cutting each of the material groups.