Muthanna Journal of Engineering and Technology
Volume (13), Issue (1), Year (30 June 2025), Pages (38-50)
DOI:10.52113/3/eng/mjet/2025-13-01-/38-50
Research Article By:
Hasanain Atiyah, Rafea Dakhil Hussein and Hayder I. Mohammed
Corresponding author E-mail: hasanainatiyah@mu.edu.iq
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a thorough examination of the thermal deterioration of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) influenced by fiber and CO2 lasers, investigating their unique metallurgical and thermal effects. The elevated energy density of fiber lasers results in quick and highly targeted heating, enabling speedy material removal and ablation. Nonetheless, this quick heating causes considerable surface roughness, microfractures, and extensive molecular degradation, undermining the material’s structural integrity. In contrast, CO2 lasers, distinguished by their longer wavelength, provide wider and more uniform heat distribution throughout the PMMA surface. This yields a more refined surface finish with enhanced degradation control, however at a reduced processing speed. The review examines the unique thermal distribution patterns generated by each laser type, investigating the development of heat-affected zones (HAZs) and the particular degradation mechanisms occurring inside these zones. The study examines the metallurgical alterations caused in the PMMA structure, focusing on aspects such as chain scission, depolymerization, and the generation of volatile byproducts. Experimental results demonstrate that fiber lasers are optimal for high-velocity material removal procedures where surface finish is not paramount, but CO2 lasers are favored for applications requiring superior surface precision and less heat damage. These discoveries include substantial industrial ramifications for several industries, including automotive, optical, and medical device manufacture. The analysis closes by examining ways for optimizing laser parameters, including power, pulse length, and scanning speed, to attain a balance among processing efficiency, material integrity, and desired product quality in PMMA manufacturing.
Keywords: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), thermal degradation, fiber laser, CO2 laser, metallurgical analysis, laser-induced degradation, heat-affected zone (HAZ), material processing, surface quality.