The effects of some laser parameters on the surface and near surface region of laser treated cast iron cylinder bore

Abstract

The environmental and pollution materials emission standards in Europe are going to be more and more strict. In order to keep the standards, a large European automotive manufacturer makes a laser treatment on the cast iron cylinder bores of the V-engine blocks. Samples of laser treated cast iron cylinder bore with lamellar graphite were investigated. Four samples were treated with Nd-YAG laser and Yb-fiber laser sources in three different configurations. Microhardness measurements were made to evaluate the hardness profile of the treated layer. In order to evaluate the microstructure and grain size of the laser treated layer, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images were taken in cross section with a SEM/focused ion beam (FIB) dual beam electron microscope. The opened graphite area percent were also determined by image analysis method on the surface after laser treatment with a SEM in backscattered electron (BSE) mode, because the outburned graphite holes are the oil reservoirs for lubrication during operating conditions of the engine. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.