Tribological characteristic of tool steel surface layer alloyed using laser

The article presents the results of research on the impact of laser surface treatment on selected steel properties. The laser treatment consisted of remelting and alloying high speed steel using hard ceramic phase powders. A high-power diode laser was used in the experiment to examine the effect of parameters such as beam power and powder type on the structure and properties of the surface layer. A structural mechanism was observed consisting in obtaining, after laser processing, a super fine crystalline structure and a dendritic structure at the remelting zone. Structural changes have been found to be associated with improved properties such as hardness, microhardness and wear resistance. Steel treated with conventional heat treatment was used as a comparative material.