Laser surface tempering of hardened chromium-molybdenum alloyed steel

Abstract

[Abstract]: The effect of a laser tempering process, subsequent to a laser hardening treatment, on the microstructure, microhardness, structural composition of phases and residual stresses of a 42CrMo4 steel has been studied. The tempering process has been carried out using a 10 kW diode laser and a galvanometer scanner head. Results show that the subsequent tempering process, after the laser hardening treatment, can be a complementary and effective method to adjust, through the selection of the appropriate process parameters, the desired degree of hardness and tensional state of the processed area, attending to the specific requirements demanded in a component.