Laser Applications in Metal Surface Hardening

Abstract

The acceptance of C02 lasers in industry to provide surface hardening is an established fact. Applications number in the hundreds in such diverse fields as automotive, office machines, air compressors, jet engines, military, paper converting, personal products, printing, plastics, forestry, mining, drilling, etc. Many specific examples are discussed with emphasis on why lasers were chosen and what significant economies in power consumption were realized. In one well-documented case, power consumption is shown to have dropped to 0.29% of the level for the previously used hardening process. The wear and fatigue characteristics of laser-hardened surfaces are reviewed. Reference is made to the operating principles of medium to high-power carbon-dioxide lasers. Typical examples are given of other laser processes such as welding, cutting, vaporizing, drilling, scribing, machining, etc.