Effect of carbon nanotubes on laser cutting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/poly methyl methacrylate nanocomposites

•Study the effect of carbon nanotubes on laser cutting of injection molded MWCNT/PMMA composite.•Study the effect of processing parameters on laser cutting of MWCNT/PMMA composites.•Considering heat affected zone, average kerf width and taper kerf as the output parameters.•Performing a full factorial design of experiments and analysis of variance method.•Finding feed rate and the amount of carbon nanotubes as the most effective parameters.

This paper studies the effect of carbon nanotubes on laser cutting of injection molded multi-walled carbon nanotubes/poly methyl methacrylate (MWCNT/PMMA) composite. Also the effect of processing parameters on laser cutting of MWCNT/PMMA nanocomposites is investigated in this study. Design of experiments is performed using full factorial method. Variable input factors are considered as MWCNT wt% in four levels, laser power in three levels and feed rate in three levels. Output parameters of this study are heat affected zone (HAZ), the average kerf width, and the taper kerf of the samples. Continuous wave CO2 laser is used in the cutting process of the samples. Output parameters are studied in direction perpendicular to the flow direction. Experiments analysis is performed using analysis of variance method. Regarding the HAZ, results show that the most effective parameters are feed rate and the amount of the carbon nanotubes. High available carbon nanotube percentage causes approximately 50% decrease in the HAZ. Findings also clearly show that average kerf width is influenced by the three variable input factors. The tapering kerf of the samples is also significantly depended on the percentage of the carbon nanotube.