Plasma Cutting vs Laser Cutting: The Differences Explained！

In the rapidly evolving world of metal cutting, a battle rages between laser and plasma. As technology advances, the landscape shifts.With the rise of multi-kilowatt lasers, and now with the widespread adoption of 60kW lasers, laser cutting is expanding into the realm of medium and thick plate cutting. During this time, the plasma cutting market has seen a dramatic decline and is gradually being replaced in certain application scenarios.

Plasma Cutting vs Laser Cutting

1. Comparison between fiber laser cutting and plasma cutting

	Fiber laser cutting	Plasma cutting
Principle	A high-power density laser beam is employed to scan the surface of the material, rapidly heating it to temperatures ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of degrees Celsius. This causes the material to melt or vaporize, and the melted or vaporized material is then removed from the slit with a high-pressure gas.	With oxygen or nitrogen as the working gas, a high-temperature and high-speed plasma arc serves as the heat source, locally melting the metal being cut. The melted metal is then removed by a high-speed airflow, forming a narrow slit.
Material	Metal materials, special metal materials and non-metallic materials	Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, cast iron and other metal materials
Cutting thickness	Medium thick plate	Medium thin plate
Cutting accuracy	Finish machining (within 0.2mm)	Rough machining (within 1mm)
Slit width	Very small (0.2 ~ 0.3mm)	Small
Heat affected zone	Very small (width 0.1mm)	Small
Plate deformation	Very small	Small

2. Advantages of fiber laser cutting over plasma cutting

	Fiber laser cutting	Plasma cutting	Fiber laser advantages
Positioning accuracy	0.14mm	0.4mm	High accuracy
Section perpendicularity	0.2mm（40mm）	5mm（40mm）	No finishing required
Slit width	0.2-1.5mm	2-5mm	Save materials
Reserved edge and common edge	3-4mm	10mm	Save materials
Heat affected zone	0.1-0.4mm	0.5-2.0mm	Small deformation
Section quality	Excellent, less slag hanging	Normal	No grinding required
Cutting speed (within 20mm)	Very fast	Normal	High production efficiency
Cut a small hole	Diameter depth ratio: 10-20%	Unable to cut hole	Save drilling machine and transfer
Beveling	Beveling	Generally not	Saving beveling machine
Work environment	Clean	Smoke filled the house	Health and environmental protection

Related product links

Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

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