Laser Treatment Influence on Tribotechnical Properties of 45 Steel

The influence of technological parameters of laser processing on tribotechnical characteristics of 45 steel has been investigated, allowing to develop recommendations for obtaining maximum wear resistance. The influence of laser processing modes (pump current I, pulse duration τ) on the values of energy in the pulse E transferred to the surface to be processed has been evaluated. Changing the current strength in the range of 60–120 A and pulse time from 5 to 25 ms allowed us to obtain the change of energy in the pulse in the range from 0.3 to 4.1 J. It was found that tribotechnical properties of the surface treated with the same energy, but different modes of exposure differ. The wear resistance of the sample was estimated by the width of the friction track. It was found that the influence of pulse duration on tribotechnical characteristics is extreme: at a pumping current of 60 A the minimum friction coefficient and maximum wear resistance were obtained at pulse duration of 20 ms. Increase of pulse duration more than 20 ms leads to lamellar fragments peeling off on the surface and deterioration of tribotechnical parameters.