Surface hardening characteristics of press die cast iron and plastic mold steel according to laser heat input

Abstract

In this study, the surface heat treatment of mold materials was performed using a high-power laser heat source and surface hardening characteristics were investigated. Laser surface heat treatment is a hardening method in which a surface is heated using high-density energy and self-quenched through rapid cooling. Hence, the heat input during laser heat treatment is important. The heat input for the surface hardening of each material was compared, and it was found that the heat input for each mold material was different. Additionally, die cast iron has higher thermal conductivity compared to mold steel, resulting in a larger heat input during heat treatment.