This diploma thesis investigates the laser processing of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. Due to its composite structure, the constituent materials exhibit different properties that significantly influence the laser processing behavior. The most important of these properties include thermal conductivity, optical absorptivity, and the melting and boiling temperatures. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the influence of processing parameters on laser ablation using a galvanometer scanning system. During the experiments, the following parameters were varied: laser wavelength, the number of passes at constant input energy, laser pulse duration, and laser spot overlap. The experimental results were evaluated by measuring the heat-affected zone (HAZ), the material removal rate, and the surface roughness. The results showed that the higher absorptivity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation promotes more uniform ablation of the polymer matrix. Matrix removal using infrared (IR) radiation can be achieved with longer laser pulses, where the matrix is vaporized through heat transfer; however, this also results in an increase in the heat-affected zone.
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