High speed laser drilling of micro-holes for hydrogen applications

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in efforts to advance hydrogen electrolysers and fuel cell technology, pinpointing green hydrogen as a viable avenue toward the decarbonization of pivotal industries. Laser drilling emerges as a fundamental technology, enabling the creation of porous structures and micro-holes in critical components essential for constructing contemporary hydrogen electrolysers. To effectively bring micro-hole drilling into commercial use within this domain, it is imperative to develop processing capabilities that facilitate high-speed operations and increased throughput rates across diverse materials.This study investigates the potential of generating micro-holes through 1 mm thick C263 Nickel alloy, a prevalent material utilized in hydrogen electrolysers, using a single-mode fibre laser. Employing a single-mode fibre laser in conjunction with a nozzle-based coaxial processing gas, the research investigates the process of creating these holes. Experimental trials were conducted to comprehend how peak power and pulse duration influence the size and quality of micro-holes drilled by a single pulse of laser energy. The results showcased the production of micro-holes with an average diameter of less than 80 µm at a rate of around 680 holes per second, maintaining a high level of consistency.