Title: A new method of polymer microstructures moulding via CO₂ laser melting

Authors: Wensheng Tan; Jianzhong Zhou; Shu Huan

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Changzhou Key Laboratory of Large Plastic Parts Intelligence Manufacturing, Changzhou College of Information Technology, Changzhou 213164, China ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Abstract: This paper presents a new method to replicate microstructures on polymer substrates via CO₂ laser irradiation. The physical model of laser positioning irradiation is established and melting equation is deduced. Numerical simulation was used to analyse the polymer temperature changes during the laser melting process. The simulation analysis and experimental results showed that laser power plays a critical role in improving repetition accuracy, followed by mould temperature and moulding pressure, which provides theoretical and technical support for high-efficiency and high-quality preparation of polymer with microstructure feature.

Keywords: laser irradiation; polymer microstructure moulding; CO2 laser melting; carbon dioxide; modelling; polymer substrates; numerical simulation; polymer temperature changes; laser power; repetition accuracy; mould temperature; moulding pressure.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2015.075241

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2015 Vol.11 No.5/6, pp.311 - 321

Received: 05 Nov 2015
Accepted: 27 Nov 2015
Published online: 08 Mar 2016 *

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