Physical Phenomena Occurring During Laser Remelting of the Surface Layer of Tool Steel

The undertaken simulation using finite element method concerned the calculation of heat propagation during laser processing in various process variants, considering the power of the laser beam and the technique of delivering powder to the melting zone. The proposed model was based on the nonlinear thermal conductivity change, specific heat and density depending on temperature. The heat supply to the processing site was assumed to be a heat beam corresponding to a laser power of 1.4, 1.7, and 2.1 kW. The latent heat effects are considered in the solidification analysis. The melting point consists of the same material as the substrate and no chemical reaction occurs there. The properties of the simulated materials and their surface condition depend on the absorbency. The focus was on the physical phenomena occurring during laser remelting of the surface layer of tool steel.