An Experimental Study on Laser Cutting Mechanisms of Polycrystalline Diamond Compacts

The objective of this study is to experimentally investigate the cutting mechanisms of polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDC) using two different lasers: (a) a near infrared Nd:YAG laser (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) of 1064 nm wavelength and 100 μs pulse width; and (b) a green light KTP (Potassium Titanyl Phosphate)/Nd:YAG laser of 532 nm wavelength and 120 ns pulse width. To realize the objective, the study applies polishing, lapping and etching processes to the cut-surfaces of the PDC samples. It further observes and analyzes the processed cut-surfaces with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. A discussion is provided to reveal the underlying physics of the laser cutting mechanisms, and a conclusion is drawn based on the outcomes from the experimental investigation and the discussion.