The Effects of Laser Surface Modification on the Microstructure of 1.4550 Stainless Steel

Abstract

In this study a stainless austenitic steel 1.4550 was laser heat treated with diode laser. The influence a gouache coating on remelted steel substrate was carry out. The cooling system during laser melted was analysis as well. Melted layers were manufactured with different laser beam power between 0.6 kW and 1.4 kW, constant scanning laser beam speed vl = 5.76 m/min and laser beam diameter equal dl = 1.2 mm. The surface was treated at room temperature and under CO2 cooling conditions and the results were compered. With the increase of the laser beam power, the dimensions of the laser tracks increase. The depth of laser tracks varies significantly than their width. The deepest melted layer was observed for a material that wasn't coated by any of absorbent paste and when there wasn't cooling system.