Laser transformation hardening of a medium carbon steel: Part II - preliminary assessment of the axicon lens

Technology Briefing 205 - February 1983

P J Oakley

FULL REPORT

Synopsis

An Axicon lens system has been designed as an alternative to using scanning or mastering techniques for producing a more uniform hardened depth than obtained when laser transformation hardening with a defocused beam. A preliminary assessment of one specification of Axicon lens has been made. This showed that hardened zones of uniform depth could be made at a higher coverage rate than the lenticular shaped hardened zones produced using a defocused beam. However, very slight surface melting of the hardened tracks occurred at shallower hardened zone depths than for a defocused beam. Reasons for this are discussed and a modification to the lens specification to overcome this is suggested.

Details of a computer program developed to analyse lens performance are given.

Member Report No. 205-1983
Laser transformation hardening of a medium carbon steel: Part II - preliminary assessment of the axicon lens

Copyright by TWI, 1999