The influence of cutting direction and nozzle diameter on laser cutting characteristics for STS304L in pressurized underwater environments

Abstract

The reactors, in which underwater laser cutting is applied, are usually more than 10[Formula: see text]m high, and the inside of the reactor is filled with coolant. It is necessary to investigate underwater laser cutting by constructing a pressurized water tank that simulates a 10-meter-deep environment in consideration of the 10-meter-deep environment where underwater cutting will be performed during actual reactor dismantling. Therefore, this study aims to first examine the effect of water pressure on laser cutting in an underwater environment and then analyze the quality of the cut part according to the cutting direction and nozzle diameter.