Steels for laser cutting

Robert Wesdijk, product group manager, Hot Rolled Strip products, Western Europe, at SSAB, says: These features make it possible to meet the most challenging requirements in automated production environments. The dead flat process gives optimum flatness and minimum internal stress, which allows us to guarantee a maximum deviation of 3 mm/m after laser cutting Laser Plus.

"The flatness tests on Laser Plus show unique results. Strict thickness tolerances and constant mechanical properties for each and every delivery result in trouble-free production. In addition, the smooth surface quality of Laser Plus steel guarantees a higher cutting speed and first-class surface quality of the cut edge. Cutting complex and high precision components and narrow contours can be done without rework. This actually takes steels intended for laser cutting to a new dimension.” 

The production process of Laser Plus steels results in a surface that is covered with a thin micro scale. This enables efficient laser- water- and plasma cutting. The quality of the cut edge remains very good, even up to a thickness of 30mm. The cold forming properties of Laser Plus steels are said to be excellent and SSAB guarantees inner bending radius of 0-1.5 x the material thickness, depending on strength level in combination with thickness.

Laser Plus steels are now available both as heavy plates and hot-rolled strip products.

The product has been developed in close cooperation with laser cutting system manufacturers, end users, distribution partners and Ruukki, who merged with SSAB in July 2014.