Fiber Laser Cutting of AISI 431 Martensitic Stainless Steel: An Experimental Investigation †

Abstract

This work explores the fiber laser cutting of AISI 431 martensitic steel using an optimized technique of RSM-BBD. A significant increase in gas pressure, power, and cutting speed improved material removal by 62.4%. Surface roughness was reduced by 56.7 percent with decreasing cutting speed, gas pressure, and laser power. The microhardness of the ablated surface was increased due to the resolidification of the molten layer. Surface topography analysis confirmed the machined samples’ surface roughness and quality. The research aims to understand AISI 431’s machinability and contribute to the improvement of component quality, especially in orthopedic implants and automotive component applications.