The Role of Carbides in Forming the Steels Structure and Properties under Pulsed Laser Irradiation
Authors: Brover G. I. , Shcherbakova E. E. 
Published: December 2023

Introduction. At present, in scientific publications, there is no unambiguous understanding and reasoned metal physical justification of the role of the carbide phase of irradiated materials in forming the required structure and achieving a given degree of hardening of surface layers of steels during pulsed laser treatment, especially in the zone of laser hardening from a solid (austenitic) state. The solution to this issue is of great importance, since it allows us to reasonably and purposefully design the required structure of surface layers of products of various functional purposes with high performance properties. The complexity and insufficiently detailed study of the process of structure formation in the surface layers of steels under extreme thermal effects of pulsed laser radiation required a series of metal physical experiments to study the fine structure of steels after high-speed high-temperature hardening.

   The aim of this article was to obtain, quantify and critically analyze the array of results of metal physical studies and to assess the degree of influence of the carbide phase on the formation of structure and properties of surface layers of steels in the process of pulsed laser hardening in different modes, that is, with and without melting the surface of the samples.

   Materials and Methods. In the work, carbon and alloyed tool steels were subjected to surface laser irradiation at a Kvant 16 installation. The radiation power density was 70–200 MW/m2. Optical, scanning probe and electron microscopy were used in conducting metal physical studies, as well as methods of diffractometric, spectral and durometric analysis of steels before and after laser treatment.

   Results. It was shown that laser treatment of steels with a radiation power density of 130–200 MW/m2 led to a local change in the chemical composition in the laser-fused areas of the spot, partial or complete dissolution of carbides present in the irradiated metal and an increase in the amount of residual austenite in the fused areas up to 40–60 %. It was found that on P6M5 steel, the maximum possible hardness of the irradiated zones was achieved by dissolving 30 % of carbides, on 9XC, HVG steels — 60–70 %. It was shown that under pulsed laser irradiation with q=70–125 MW/m2, that is, without melting the steel surface, "white zones" formed around carbide inclusions under the influence of thermo-deformation stresses at the boundaries of the "carbide – steel matrix" composition. They had irretrievability, dispersion of the structure and increased hardness (10–12 GPa). It was determined that the maximum hardness of laser-hardened metal in the zones of laser hardening from a solid state was achieved if the "white zones" occupied 40 % of the irradiated area of steel. It was found that the dispersion of carbides in this case was 0.5–1.5 microns.

   Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the conducted studies indicate that in order to obtain the best combination of hardness and viscosity of the irradiated zones during laser treatment with melting of the surface of steels of different chemical composition, it is necessary to dissolve different amounts of carbides. The dispersed structure of laser-fused steel zones, along with a sufficiently high content of residual austenite, predetermine the possibility of improving the operational characteristics of irradiated materials, especially under conditions of external shock loads. The analysis of the conducted metal physical studies irradiated without melting the surface of steels allows us to conclude that in order to obtain a high degree of hardening, it is necessary and expedient to ensure the presence of a certain volume of dispersed carbides in the structure of the irradiated steel. The structural composition of "white zones" formed during laser treatment without melting the steel surface contributes to obtaining a unique level of operational properties. The results of the performed studies contribute to the theory of steel structure formation under conditions of extreme heat exposure and allow for a rational choice of modes of surface laser processing of products and their operability.