Hybrid Dissection for Neutron Tube Shell via Continuous-Wave Laser and Ultra-Short Pulse Laser

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Laser Machining
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional lathe turning for neutron tube shell dissection is inefficient and costly due to frequent diamond knife replacement.
• Developing advanced methods for processing thick-walled metallic components is crucial for recycling and manufacturing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a hybrid laser dissection method for efficient cutting of sealed neutron tube shells.
• To compare the efficiency and characteristics of the hybrid method against traditional and single-laser techniques.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid approach combining continuous-wave (CW) laser for groove creation and femtosecond (fs) laser for delamination scanning removal.
• Finite element modeling to investigate thermal fields during the CW laser grooving process.
• Experimental validation of the hybrid method for cutting millimeter-thick metallic shells.

Main Results:

• The hybrid method achieved a 49-fold increase in cutting efficiency compared to femtosecond laser cutting alone.
• Successful creation of a 2 mm deep slot in a 25 mm diameter tube in 1 minute using a kilowatt fiber laser.
• Simulation indicated minimal thermal diffusion, with temperatures exceeding 100 °C over narrow widths (0.4-1.9 mm) depending on rotation speed.

Conclusions:

• The hybrid laser dissection method offers a high-efficiency, non-contact, and low-thermal-impact solution for thick neutron tube shell cutting.
• This technique minimizes molten slag and is suitable for reclaiming metallic neutron tube shells.
• The study demonstrates the potential of hybrid laser processing for advanced material cutting applications.