Investigation of the laser forming of Cu/SS bilayer sheets

Bilayer clad sheets normally consist of two or more dissimilar metals of different thickness bonded together. Clad sheets are of great interest in different industries while having the advantages of all base metals. In this research¡ laser forming of Cu-stainless steel (SS) clad sheet is experimentally studied. This composite can be used in microelectronics industry while having the anti-corrosion and strength capability of stainless steel¡ and electrical superiority of copper. The specimens are bent using Ytterbium fiber laser irradiated on a straight path along the sheet width. The effects of main forming parameters including the number of passes¡ scanning velocity¡ beam diameter and laser power are discussed on bilayer sheet¡ and compared with its constituent steel and copper layers. It is found that the thin copper mid-layer strongly affects the rate of bending per pass due to its high thermal conductivity. It was concluded that the increase of laser power increases the bending angle¡ and increase of scanning velocity and beam diameter decreases the bending angle.