Experimental evaluation of cut quality and temperature field in fiber laser cutting of AZ31B magnesium alloy using response surface methodology

•Fiber laser cutting of AZ31 magnesium alloy was studied to assess the laser cutting process parameters effect on the resultant cutting temperature near the cut kerf and the resultant cut quality.•Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effect of laser cutting parameters on the temperature near the cut kerf, average surface roughness and cut kerf quality.•The nozzle distance and laser emitted power has had the remarkable effect on the temperature variation around the cutting gap.•The nozzle distance has had a huge effect on the cutting-edge surface roughness.