Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is ubiquitous in aerospace and eVTOL sectors. Clean cutting of this material has remained a tough challenge ever since the launch of the very first production line.

CO₂ lasers deliver viable cutting performance yet come with high operating costs, and their laser beam cannot be delivered via optical fiber. 1μm ytterbium fiber lasers are versatile for most other factory processing tasks, but they cause CFRP delamination before completing cutting. For 30 years, the industry has been stuck between these two imperfect processing tools.

The 2μm thulium fiber laser emerges as the third alternative — the solution that aligns perfectly with fundamental physical principles.

Why CFRP Is Hard to Cut

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer is a composite material consisting of carbon fibers (featuring high rigidity, high tensile strength and high thermal conductivity) embedded within a polymer matrix (typically epoxy resin, PEEK or BMI resin).

 These two constituents possess fundamentally divergent optical and thermal properties.

Clean CFRP cutting requires simultaneous removal of both components at identical removal rates and consistent energy input. If carbon fibers absorb laser energy far faster than the matrix, local vaporization or carbonization of the matrix will occur, while fiber structures separate at laminate interfaces — resulting in delamination.

Why 1μm Fiber Lasers Struggle with CFRP

At the 1070nm wavelength, carbon fibers absorb laser energy efficiently. However, epoxy matrix barely absorbs light at this wavelength and is nearly transparent to it.

Consequently, carbon fibers get ablated and ejected preferentially, while the surrounding matrix receives minimal direct laser energy. Delamination spreads along laminate boundaries, leaving cut edges plagued with fiber pull-out, irregular profiles and extensive lateral heat-affected zones (HAZ).

Why CO₂ Lasers Work Yet Are Losing Competitive Edge

• Low efficiency: CO₂ lasers boast an electro-optic efficiency below 8%. A 3kW CO₂ system draws over 37kW power from the grid.

• Limited beam delivery: CO₂ laser beams cannot travel through silica fiber, and must be transmitted via articulated mirror arms, creating major obstacles for robotic integration.

• High maintenance costs: CO₂ laser tubes require regular replacement,

• forming a recurring cost burden.

For eVTOL manufacturers transitioning from prototype development to mass production, CO₂ laser technology belongs to a bygone era.

Why 2μm Is the Optimal Wavelength

1. Dramatically enhanced matrix absorption: C-H and O-H chemical bonds exhibit strong absorption bands within the 1.7–2.2μm spectral range.

2. Balanced energy coupling between fiber and matrix: Both constituents absorb comparable energy per unit volume.

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4. Quantifiable improvements in cutting quality: Tests conducted on Toray T300 (standard aerospace-grade 3mm-thick CFRP) prove that GW’s 1kW 2μm laser achieves a cutting speed of 1 m/min, a kerf width below 0.3 mm, and a heat-affected zone limited to merely tens of micrometers.

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6. Retain fiber beam delivery capability — a feature impossible for CO₂ lasers.

GW LaserTech’s 2μm fiber lasers integrate high peak power, superior electro-optic conversion efficiency and outstanding reliability into one compact unit, delivering high power output alongside stable continuous operation as core strengths.

Full-Spectrum Customization Available for Products

• Power customization: Full power solutions ranging from hundreds of watts to kilowatts are available on demand, covering diverse working condition requirements.

• Wavelength customization: Precise customization of specific wavelengths

• within the 1940–2040nm band.

System integration: All solutions can be deeply integrated with GW’s self-developed high-efficiency direct cooling thermal management system to ensure long-term stable equipment operation under harsh environments.

We target special laser application scenarios including medical devices, remote sensing and advanced new material processing. We accurately resolve core technical pain points and tailor exclusive laser solutions for clients.

Get in touch with us to seek win-win cooperation and embark on a new chapter of partnership together!