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Study on Laser Drilling of Micro-Holes Using a Breakthrough Detection Method
Liang Wang1, Yefei Rong1, Long Xu1
1Faculty of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 28, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a new penetration detection method for precise laser drilling control. It optimizes pulse energy, defocus, and beam expansion for efficient, high-quality through-holes in stainless steel and titanium alloys.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Manufacturing Processes
- Laser Technology
Background:
- Precise process control is crucial for efficient millisecond pulsed laser drilling of metallic through-holes.
- Conventional methods for determining optimal laser drilling parameters have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a penetration detection-based method for determining the pulse count threshold in laser drilling.
- To systematically investigate the effects of pulse energy, defocus, and beam expansion ratio on drilling quality and efficiency.
- To establish a parameter database for high-quality laser drilling of 304 stainless steel and TC4 titanium alloy.
Main Methods:
- Developed and applied a penetration detection-based method to identify the optimal pulse count threshold.
- Conducted systematic experiments varying pulse energy, defocus, and beam expansion ratio.
- Analyzed drilling quality (taper angle) and efficiency for 3 mm thick 304 stainless steel and TC4 titanium alloy.
Main Results:
- For 304 stainless steel, minimum taper angle at 2.2 J pulse energy, -0.5 mm defocus, and 2.5 beam expansion ratio. High efficiency observed between 2.6-2.8 J pulse energy, -1 to 0 mm defocus, and 3-4 beam expansion ratio.
- For TC4 titanium alloy, minimum taper angle at 2.6 J pulse energy, -0.5 mm defocus, and 3.5 beam expansion ratio. High efficiency recorded at 2.8 J pulse energy, -0.5 mm defocus, and 2.5-3 beam expansion ratio.
- Stainless steel 304 exhibited higher drilling efficiency than TC4 titanium alloy under identical laser parameters.
Conclusions:
- The penetration detection method provides a practical strategy for precise laser drilling control.
- A valuable parameter database for efficient and high-quality laser drilling of stainless steel and titanium alloys has been established.
- Optimized parameters differ between stainless steel 304 and TC4 titanium alloy, with stainless steel showing higher efficiency under similar conditions.
