Mathematical modeling of heat distribution on carbon fiber Poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) composite during laser ablation

Abstract Since large amounts of energy are transferred precisely to the material in a very short time, laser and material parameters strongly affect the laser process quality. Mathematical modeling of heat distribution during cavity formation on carbon fiber reinforced PEEK composite material was performed. The temperature distribution equation has been obtained by the Fourier method. At the first stage, 1 J energy laser beam was sent onto the material and the cavity on the composite material was obtained. The constants in the temperature distribution equation obtained by making measurements over the cavity were found. Then the cavities were created with 2, 3 and 4 J laser beams to prove its reliability of the model. The results obtained from the measurement on the cavities and calculated from the temperature distribution equation were compared. Since the unidirectional carbon fibers were used, the obtained cavities have an elliptical shape. Verification experiments were carried out using two different heat conduction constants for in direction along fibers and perpendicular to carbon fibers. Experimental results and the mathematical model are in good agreement.