High-speed Observation of the Heat Flow in CFRP During Laser Processing

We present fundamental experiments on the heat flow in carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) during laser percussion drilling with a picosecond laser system. With high-speed imaging, the growing of the matrix evaporation zone (MEZ) during laser processing can be observed with a high temporal and spatial resolution. By varying the pulse energy and the repetition rate of the laser beam, the influence of these parameters on the extension of the heat affected zone can be investigated. Based on these methods, the question, whether high pulse energy or a high repetition rate is more suitable for laser processing of CFRP, has been examined.