The influence of laser re-melting on microstructure and hardness of gas-nitrided steel

Abstract In this paper, modification of nitrided layer by laser re-melting was presented. The nitriding process has many advantageous properties. Controlled gas nitriding was carried out on 42CrMo4 steel. As a consequence of this process, ε+γ’ compound zone and diffusion zone were produced at the surface. Next, the nitrided layer was laser remelted using TRUMPF TLF 2600 Turbo CO2 laser. Laser tracks were arranged as single tracks with the use of various laser beam powers (P), ranging from 0.39 to 1.04 kW. The effects of laser beam power on the microstructure, dimensions of laser tracks and hardness profiles were analyzed. Laser treatment caused the decomposition of continuous compound zone at the surface and an increase in hardness of previously nitrided layer because of the appearance of martensite in re-melted and heat-affected zones

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Modelling of the effects of laser modification of gas-nitrided layer

Archives of Materials Science and Engineering ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0010.8040 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (88) ◽

pp. 59-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Kulka ◽

D. Panfil ◽

J. Michalski ◽

P. Wach

Keyword(s):

Laser Beam ◽

Laser Processing ◽

Nitrided Layer ◽

Processing Parameters ◽

Beam Power ◽

Laser Modification ◽

Gas Nitriding ◽

Scanning Rate ◽

Melted Zone ◽

Laser Beam Power

Purpose: The effects of laser processing parameters on the dimensions of simple laser tracks, produced on the previously nitrided layer, were analysed. Design/methodology/approach: Gas nitriding is one of the most commonly used thermochemical treatment, resulting in many advantageous properties: high hardness, enhanced corrosion resistance, improved wear resistance and fatigue strength. However, an unfavourable increase in the thickness of compound zone (e + g’) close to the surface was observed after conventional gas nitriding. This was the reason for undesirable embrittlement and flaking of the layer. Therefore, a controlled gas nitriding was intensively developed, reducing the percentage of the most brittle e (Fe2-3N) iron nitrides. In this study, the hybrid surface layer was produced. The controlled gas-nitriding was followed by laser heat treatment (LHT). Laser modification was carried out using various laser beam powers and scanning rates. The dimensions of laser tracks (i.e. depths and widths of re-melted zone and heat-affected zone) were measured. Numerical methods were used in order to formulate a mathematical model. Findings: Laser processing parameters (laser beam power and scanning rate) influenced the microstructure obtained. The microstructure of laser modified nitrided steel with re-melting consisted of re-melted zone (MZ), heat-affected zone (HAZ), nitrided layer without visible effects of laser treatment and the substrate. The use of laser beam power of 0.26 kW resulted in only a partial re-melting of the compound zone. The two characteristic values of laser beam power were estimated. P0MZ corresponded to the laser beam power at which the re-melted zone disappeared (i.e. width and depth of MZ were equal to 0). P0HAZ was a value of laser beam power at which the effects of laser irradiation were invisible in microstructure (i.e. width and depth of HAZ were equal to 0). The model was proposed in order to predict the effects of LHT on microstructure. Research limitations/implications: The presented model was limited to the scanning rates in the range of 2.24-3.84 m/min. In the future research, this range should be exceeded, especially, taking into account the lower values of scanning rate. Practical implications: The presented model could be used in order to control the microstructure and properties of hybrid surface layers, obtained as a consequence of the controlled gas-nitriding and LHT. Originality/value: his work is related to the new conception of laser modification of nitrided layers. Such a treatment provided the hybrid layers of new advantageous properties.

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Microstructure and wear resistance of gas-nitrided steel after laser modification

Journal of Achievements of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0010.7984 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (85) ◽

pp. 12-20

Author(s):

D. Panfil ◽

M. Kulka ◽

P. Wach ◽

J. Michalski

Keyword(s):

Wear Resistance ◽

Laser Beam ◽

Nitrided Layer ◽

Beam Power ◽

Surface Layers ◽

Laser Modification ◽

Gas Nitriding ◽

Laser Heat ◽

Laser Beam Power ◽

Hybrid Layers

Purpose: The aim of this work was to study the microstructure and wear resistance of hybrid surface layers, produced by a controlled gas nitriding and laser modification. Design/methodology/approach: Nitriding is well-known method of thermo-chemical treatment, applied in order to produce surface layers of improved hardness and wear resistance. The phase composition and growth kinetics of the diffusion layer can be controlled using a gas nitriding with changeable nitriding potential. In this study, gas nitriding was carried out on 42CrMo4 steel at 570°C (843 K) for 4 hours using changeable nitriding potential in order to limit the thickness of porous e zone. Next, the nitrided layer was laser-modified using TRUMPF TLF 2600 Turbo CO2 laser. Laser tracks were arranged as the multiple tracks with scanning rate vl=2.88 m/min and overlapping of about 86% using the two laser beam powers (P): 0.21 kW and 0.26 kW. Microstructure was observed by an optical microscope. Phase composition was studied using XRD. Hardness profiles in the produced hybrid layers was determined using a Vickers method. Wera resistance tests were performed using MBT-01 tester. Findings: Gas nitriding resulted in formation of compound zone, consisting of e nitrides close to the surface and a zone, composed of e + g' nitrides. Below the white compound zone, the diffusion zone occurred with nitric sorbite and precipitates of g' nitrides. In the microstructure after laser heat treatment (LHT) of nitrided layer, the zones were observed as follows: the re-melted zone (MZ) with e nitrides, nitric martensite and non-equilibrium FeN0.056 phase, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) with nitric martensite and precipitates of g' phase and the diffusion zone (DZ) without visible effect of laser treatment. Laser beam power influenced the depth of MZ and HAZ, so the thickness of hardened zone. The hardness of MZ was slightly decreased compared to the hardness of compound zone after gas nitriding. However, the significant increase in hardness was observed in HAZ. The formation of hybrid layers advantageously influenced the tribological properties. The laser-heat treated nitrided layers were characterized by improved wear resistance compared to the only gas-nitrided layer. Research limitations/implications: The effect of LHT on the microstructure and properties of gas-nitrided layer was limited to the two laser beam powers. In the future research, this range should be exceeded, especially, taking into account the lower values of laser beam power. It will result in laser modification without re-melting. Practical implications: The selection of suitable LHT parameters could provide the hybrid layers of modified microstructure and improved wear resistance. Originality/value: This work was related to the new concept of modification of nitrided layer by laser heat treatment.

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The effect of laser treatment parameters on temperature distribution and thickness of laser-alloyed layers produced on Nimonic 80A-alloy

Journal of Achievements of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0010.7034 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (83) ◽

pp. 67-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N. Makuch ◽

P. Dziarski ◽

M. Kulka

Keyword(s):

Temperature Distribution ◽

Laser Beam ◽

Laser Treatment ◽

High Hardness ◽

Optical Microscope ◽

Beam Power ◽

Beam Diameter ◽

Laser Alloying ◽

Laser Beam Power ◽

Nimonic 80A

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to determine the influence of laser treatment parameters on temperature distribution and thickness of laser-alloyed layers produced on Nimonic 80A-alloy. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper laser alloying was used in order to produce layers on Nimonic 80A-alloy surface. The three types of the alloying materials were applied: B, B+Nb and B+Mo. Microstructure observations were carried out using an optical microscope. The hardness measurements were performed using a Vickers method under a load of 0.981 N. For evaluation of temperature distribution the equations developed by Ashby and Esterling were used. Findings: The produced layers consisted of re-melted zone only and were characterized by high hardness (up to 1431 HV0.1). The increase in laser beam power caused an increase in thickness and decrease in hardness of re-melted zones. The temperature distribution was strongly dependent on laser treatment parameters and physical properties of alloying material. The higher laser beam power, used during laser alloying with boron, caused an increase in layer thickness and temperature on the treated surface. The addition of Mo or Nb for alloying paste caused changes in melting conditions. Research limitations/implications: The obtained results confirmed that laser beam power used for laser alloying influenced the thickness and hardness of the produced layers. Moreover, the role of type of alloying material and its thermal properties on melting condition was confirmed. Practical implications: Laser alloying is the promising method which can be used in order to form very thick and hard layers on the surface of Ni-base alloys. The obtained microstructure, thickness and properties strongly dependent on laser processing parameters such as laser beam diameter, laser beam power, scanning rate as well as on the type of alloying material and its thickness, or type of substrate material. Originality/value: In this paper the influence of alloying material on temperature distribution, thickness and hardness of the laser-alloyed layers was in details analyzed.

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