Effects of Overlapping Distances on Steel Microstructure and Properties After Multi-track Laser Quenching

Abstract

In this study, multi-track laser quenching with different overlapping distances was used to assess SM45C microstructure and properties. Two overlapping distance types were evaluated, including overlapping distances in the transition and martensite regions, respectively. After multi-track quenching, hardness showed a threefold increase. With the overlapping distance in the transition region, surface hardness varied from 600 to 700 HV. There was a region of low hardness in each track. Hardness in the low hardness region was from 300 to 400 HV. The average hardness was basically over 500 HV with the overlapping distance in the martensite region, although there was a softening region. The increased hardness was mainly caused by the martensite. Microstructure in the overlapping region was self-tempered martensite, retained austenite and ferrite. Tempered sorbite and lowly tempered martensite were observed in heat-affected zones. Friction coefficients of quenched specimens varied between 0.275 and 0.325, with a 14% reduction relative to the base metal. The wear rate of the quenched specimen was only 40.8% of the base metal. With time, mass reduction in the quenched specimen was much smaller than that of the base metal. For specimens treated with laser quenching, slight fatigue wear was dominating.