Laser boronizing and its potential application

Abstract

This paper contains examples of machine components, the parts of which are exposed to intensive exploitation conditions. Thus, local surface layer modification of those parts is required to achieve appropriate properties. Laser treatments, including laser boronizing possibilities, are presented. The influence of laser boronizing on the surface layer structure of nodular iron components has been determined on the basis of the presented investigations. It has been proved that laser treatment makes possible implementation of boron in the surface layers of the treated material, and that such a method allows obtaining of a fine-crystalline, homogenous structure with iron borides. The microhardness of the surface layer of the samples studied after such treatment is increased by approximately five times.