Influence of Laser Remelting Process on Strain and Residual Stresses in Nodular Iron

Abstract

The present paper deals with residual stress and strain changes in thin flat specimens of nodular cast iron during laser remelting process. In laser remelting process of a workpiece we have used several laser beam passages across the workpiece surface. The state of internal stress in the workpiece changes because of different ways of guiding the laser beam across the workpiece surface, and consequently strain of the workpiece may occur. In the process of gradual remelting of the specimen surface, i.e. during its heating and cooling, volume changes in the specimen surface layer occur due to thermal and microstructural changes. To find out more about volume changes in the thin surface layer of specimens, the latter were monitored by measuring the strain at the lower side of the specimens during and after the remelting process, and also by residual stress measurement in the thin surface layer. The results obtained confirm that the laser remelting process could be successfully optimised on the basis of knowing the residual stresses and the strain generated during the remelting process.