Cumulative Heat Effect in Excimer Laser Ablation of Polymer PC and ABS

Abstract

Analysis of the thermal effect and machining properties of PC (polycarbonate) and ABS (polyacrylonitrilebutadienestyrene) polymers when ablated using a KrF excimer laser is described. PC has less thermal effect on the geometric distortion than ABS in laser ablation. The cumulative heat during laser ablation results in geometric deformation in ABS micromachining. The number of laser pulses generates a greater geometric deformation in ABS than in PC according to experimental laser ablation observations. The PC ablation rate is proportional to the laser fluence, whereas ABS shows an exponential profile. The pulse repetition rate has no significant influence on PC during laser ablation, but affects the ablated patterns in ABS. During laser ablation, PC does not produce debris on the machining patterns, but debris is produced on the machining patterns with ABS.

Polymer optical waveguide fabrication using laser ablation

“…Examination of the graph showed that there are two distinctive regions, both of which require different interpretations. This curve is similar, but converse to that reported for Excimer laser ablation of ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) polymer, in which the graph showed a maximum rather than a minimum [18]. The two regions are thought to correspond to different ablation mechanisms: in the first region, an increase in frequency led to a reduction in ablation as incident pulses which were in excess of those required to cause ablation of the polymer were absorbed by the ablated material and surroundings and thus converted to heat energy.…”

Laser Ablation for Polymer Waveguide Fabrication

“…They are also characterized by higher etch rate, strong absorption by the material, improved surface roughness and lower ablation thresholds [Li, L., et al, 2011;Sugioka, et al, 2003]. These aforementioned features of the excimer laser have attracted and favoured its use not only for polymers [Wei & Yang, 2003] but also with other materials such as ceramics [Ihlemann, 1996], glasses [Tseng, et al, 2007] and silicon [Li, J. & Ananthasuresh, 2001] which are often hard to machine.…”

Study on the interaction characteristics of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and UV laser

“…Before applying the laser post processing, we analyzed the interaction characteristics of laser and ABS to determine the suitability of the laser technology. We also analyzed laser conditions suitable for post-processing [27,28]. The interaction characteristics using four different surface conditions are compared and analyzed.…”