A Study of Laser Ablated Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Composites 267 Filled with CaF2
G. Li, Y. Liu, J. Huang, D. Piccoz, X-W. Zhu and Y-X. Wu
The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with CaF2 gas are ablated by laser beam instead of arc and the microstructure and the contents of the main elements on the ablated surfaces of PTFE composites are analysed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The mechanism of the resistance to laser ablation influenced by CaF2 is studied. The results indicate that it exists an optimum content of CaF2 at which PTFE acquires a relatively high resistance to laser radiation; the optimum content of CaF2 could improve the reflectivity, regulate absorption of laser energy and improve PTFE composites resistance to laser ablation.
Keywords: CO2 laser, laser ablation, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), composite, CaF2, resistance)