Impact of laser hardening on surface properties of billets from structural materials

This study examines the application of advanced additive manufacturing technologies in surface engineering, with a focus on laser hardening. The feasibility of using high-tech approaches for the surface hardening of alloy steel components, exemplified by grade 40X steel, is demonstrated. We analyzed the microhardness of billets and the depth of laser hardening under varying technological parameters. The proposed method was implemented in the state-of-the-art Laboratory of Mechanics, Laser Processes, and Digital Productive Technologies at South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia, to enhance the reliability and durability of surfaces in machines and mechanisms. Experiments involved the variation of laser power from 2.4 to 2.6 kW and a laser travel speed from 8 to 12 mm/s. The study identified key parameters affecting the quality characteristics of laser-hardened surfaces. The findings of this study can be applied to improve the surface hardness and wear resistance of alloy steel components in critical machine and equipment assemblies. Furthermore, the method demonstrates the potential for hardening thin-walled and elongated components, as well as surfaces of high-entropy structural alloys. The precision and stability of the process enable the transition of fundamental research into applied developments, thereby producing multifunctional coatings using additive technologies at a new quality level.