Analysis of cracks produced during carburizing of AISI 1018 steel using a ND: YAG laser

Journal Article · Mon Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Scripta Metallurgica et Materialia; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0956-716X(93)90124-B· OSTI ID:5789652

Tayal, M; Mukherjee, K ^[1]

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1. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Mechanics

Reduced processing time, refined microstructure and low distortion are some of the major advantages of selective carburizing of low carbon steel by using lasers. Formation of cracks in the solidified region, on the other hand, is the major drawback. In the past solidification cracks have been reported in the case of laser melting of grey cast iron, and other iron base alloys, but no detailed study has been reported. The fact that very high carbon contents are introduced by the laser carburizing as compared to that in conventional carburizing, where carbon is limited to 0.80 to 1.0 wt%, lead to a detailed study of laser carburizing. As a part of the ongoing research on carburizing of steel using laser, the authors have investigated cracks formed in the laser carburized zone of AISI 1018 steel. This paper describes a detailed analysis of the cracks formed during laser carburizing. A correlation has been established between the various microstructures formed in laser carburizing, and the affinity of the crack formation. Finally an ideal microstructure has been proposed for the laser carburized layer, which will be most desirable (with respect to crack free and high hardness) in laser carburizing.

• OSTI ID: 5789652
• Journal Information: Scripta Metallurgica et Materialia; (United States), Vol. 29:10; ISSN 0956-716X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
STEELS
MICROSTRUCTURE
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CARBURIZATION
CRACKS
MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS
NEODYMIUM LASERS
ALLOYS
HARDENING
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
LASERS
MATHEMATICS
RADIATION EFFECTS
SOLID STATE LASERS
STATISTICS
SURFACE HARDENING
SURFACE TREATMENTS
360106* - Metals & Alloys- Radiation Effects
360102 - Metals & Alloys- Structure & Phase Studies