Parameters optimization for microcrack width in laser trepanned hole

Abstract Ceramic composite like Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) acquire with excellent toughness, high hardness and temperature resistance. These characteristics demand applications in manufacturing of ballistic body parts, cutting tool inserts, turbine blades and combustion chambers. Conventional machining methods are unsuitable to drill/cut holes in ZTA plate due to its improved mechanical properties. Researchers have found that laser beam machining has capability to drill or cut holes in structural ceramics. Formation of microcracks is inherent in laser drilled hole due to adhered layer of resolidified material and development of thermal stresses. The chances of formation of microcracks are more in laser drilling or cutting of hard and brittle material like ZTA. Sometimes, widening of microcrack propagates underneath recast layer and demolishes the hole surface quality and changes parent material properties, as well. Therefore, selection of optimum level of control factors or input process parameters became essential during laser drilling of ZTA to overcome the intensity of microcracks. In this research paper, the microcrack width of laser trepan drilled hole has been optimized using Artificial Intelligence tool such as Genetic Algorithm. Optimum result shows that microcrack width has been reduced by 17.66%. The comparative improvement has also been confirmed in SEM image.