RT Journal Article SR Electronic A1 Kučerová, Ludmila A1 Račický, Antonín A1 Tichá, Iveta T1 Analysis of affected surface zone created by different cutting technologies JF Manufacturing Technology Journal YR 2020 VO 20 IS 6 SP 785 OP 790 DO 10.21062/mft.2020.117 UL https://journalmt.com/artkey/mft-202006-0003.php AB Three cutting technologies, plasma, laser, and acetylene, were used to produce the same geometry of a hole with 33 cm diameter. The plates of the same steel St-37 (1.0038, ČSN 11375) with a thickness of 50 mm were used in all three cases and the aim of the work was to evaluate and compare micro-structure changes of the cut surfaces. Longitudinal and transverse samples were taken from all cuts for subsequent analysis. Light and scanning electron microscopy of surface and below-surface areas were carried out at all samples. Hardness profiles were determined by micro-hardness and nano-hardness measurements. Based on these results, the depth of material that was influenced by cutting was established by image analysis of light micrographs, micro-hardness measurement and nano-hardness measurement. It was found out, that all three technologies influence significantly micro-structure and surface hardness of cut steel. Acetylene cutting resulted in the deepest affected zone consisting of several layers with gradually changing microstructures based on various ferritic-carbidic morphologies.