Low-power laser hardening of steels

The results of a study of surface hardening of steels by low-power (100 W) CO2 laser radiation are presented. Three-fold increase of surface microhardness of low- and medium-carbon steels was obtained. The depth of hardening zone was 170 μm. A comparative analysis of laser hardening with the use of pulse (t=6 ns, λ=532 nm) radiation was made. The study shows that low-power CO2 lasers can be applied for effective restructuring of a steel surface and growth of its microhardness.