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Laser surface treatment of high‐speed steel: presence of TiC particles at the surface
Author(s) -
Abdul Aleem B. J.,
Hashmi M. S. J.,
Yilbas B. S.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.3785
Subject(s) - materials science , laser , indentation hardness , indentation , layer (electronics) , residual stress , composite material , surface layer , irradiation , fracture toughness , hardness , carbon fibers , toughness , carbon steel , metallurgy , microstructure , composite number , optics , corrosion , physics , nuclear physics
Laser treatment of a high‐speed steel surface is carried out and metallurgical and morphological changes in the laser‐treated layer are examined using SEM, EDS and XRD. A carbon film of 50 µm thickness and containing 5% TiC particles is formed at the workpiece surface prior to the laser treatment process. The carbon film formed at the surface enhances the absorption of laser irradiation and retains TiC particles at the workpiece surface. The residual stress formed at the laser‐treated surface is determined using the XRD technique while the indentation tests are carried out to measure microhardness and fracture toughness of the resulting surface. It is found that ε‐Fe 3 N, and ε‐Fe 3 (N,C) compounds are formed at the laser‐treated surface, which are attributed to the presence of carbon film and high‐pressure nitrogen‐assisting gas. The fracture toughness of the laser‐treated surface reduces because of the increased hardness and dense layer formed at the surface vicinity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.