Aneta Bartkowska

Microstructure and selected properties of boronized layers produced on C45 and CT90 steels after modification by diode laser

Abstract The paper presents the study results of macro- and microstructure, microhardness and corrosion resistance of C45 medium carbon steel and CT90 high carbon steel after diffusion boriding and laser modification by diode laser. It was found that the increase of carbon content reduced the thickness of boronized layer and caused change in their morphology. Diffusion boronized layers were composed of FeB and Fe2B iron borides. As a result of laser surface modification of these layers, the microstructure composed of three areas: remelted zone, heat affected zone (HAZ) and the substrate was obtained. Microhardness of laser remelting boronized layer in comparison with diffusion boronized layer was lower. The presence of HAZ was advantageous, because mild microhardness gradient between the layer and the substrate was assured. The specimens with laser boronized layers were characterized by better corrosion resistance than specimens without modified layer.

The influence of laser boronizing parameters on the mechanism of formation and properties of surface layers produced on iron alloys with various carbon content

This paper analyses the boronizing treatment which was performed by means of CO2 molecular laser with a power of 2600 W. Boron was introduced by remelting the paste with a thickness of 40÷120 mm, containing amorphous boron or iron-boron, use the material of the substrate, such as Armco iron or C45 and C90 types of steel. The influence of the boron paste thickness, variable P power from P = 0.78 kW to 1.82 kW, with the constant laser beam scanning velocity v = 2.88 m/min and material type on the mechanism of formation, microstructure, microhardness and frictional wear resistance of the formed layers (surface structure). After laser boronizing the surface layer consists of zone-structured tracks: melted zone, heat affected zone and the substrate. The melted zone contains boride-martensitic eutectic, in C45 and C90 types of steel there under the remelted zone there is a heat affected zone which is composed of a martensitic structure. With the increase in the laser power, width and depth of laser tracks increases in all the iron alloys with variable thickness of the applied amorphous boron paste. With the increase in the thickness of the boron paste, width of the laser tracks increases and depth of the laser tracks decreases with the constant beam power. The maximum dimensions of the remelted zone for C45 steel were: approx. 600 μm (width) and 350 μm (depth). The highest average microhardness of the surface layer reaches approx. 1500 HV0.1 and it decreases with the increase in power for all the iron alloys. Microhardness and frictional wear resistance of the layer boronized by means of laser with the use of the paste containing iron-boron is lower than that of the layer boronized with the use of the paste containing only boron.

Laser alloying of Vanadis-6 steel by using powders containing boron and tungsten

The paper presents the influence of laser alloying on microstructure and microhardness of Vanadis-6 steel. The surface layers were formed by remelting paste which was applied on to the steel substrate. Three kind of pastes were applied: with boron, with tungsten and the mixture of these elements in the ratio 1:1. TRUDIODE 3006 diode laser with nominal power equal to 3 kW integrated with robot arm were used. Parameters of laser alloying were following: power density of laser beam q = 63.69 kW/cm2, scanning rate v = 3.0 m/min and overlap of laser tracks equal to 60%. Microstructure of produced laser tracks were analysed. Surface roughness after laser alloying were investigated. After laser alloying, microstructure consisting with remelted zone and martensitic heat affected zone were obtained. Application of paste with tungsten had contributed to formation the solid solution microstructure, while application of paste with boron or mixture (boron and tungsten) led to formation of boron–martensite eutectic microstructure. Microhardness of laser tracks were measured. It was found that paste containing boron and tungsten allows obtain the layers with increased microhardness compared to steel substrate while maintaining the mild microhardness profile from surface to the substrate.

Surface condition, microstructure and microhardness of boronized layers produced on Vanadis-6 steel after modification by diode laser

Abstract The paper presents the study results of surface condition, microstructure and microhardness of Vanadis-6 tool steel after diffusion boriding and laser modification by diode laser. As a result of diffusion boriding the layers consisted of two phases: FeB and Fe2B. A bright area under the continuous boronized layers was visible. This zone was probably rich in boron. As a result of laser surface modification of boronized layers, the microstructure composed of three zones: remelted zone, heat affected zone and the substrate was obtained. The microstructure of remelted zone consisted of boron-martensite eutectic. The depth of laser track (total thickness of remelted zone and heat affected zone) was dependent on laser parameters (laser beam power density and scanning laser beam velocity). The microhardness of laser remelting boronized layer in comparison with diffusion boronized layer was slightly lower. The presence of heat affected zone was advantageous, because it allowed to obtain a mild microhardness gradient between the layer and the substrate.