Experimental Study on Laser Assisted Milling of Sintered Silicon Nitride Ceramics

Laser assisted milling (LAML) is a potential method for machining difficult-to-machine materials such as superalloys and ceramics, which uses a high power laser to focally heat a workpiece prior to material removal with a traditional cutting tool. A laser assisted milling experimental system was set up to investigate the cutting process of LAML of sintered silicon nitride. Effects of operating parameters on cutting forces, chip morphology, surface roughness and subsurface damage were investigated. The results showed the feasibility and advantages of LAML of ceramics including good surface, decreasing cutting force and tool wear, and no micro-crack zones.