IMPROVEMENT OF WEAR RESISTANCE PROPERTIES OF METAL GEARS USING LASER SURFACE HARDENING

Abstract

This study investigates efficacy of laser surface hardening as a method to enhance the wear resistance of metal gears, comparing it with traditional hardening techniques such as induction and flame hardening. The laser surface hardening process involves using a high-energy laser beam to rapidly heat the gear surface, resulting in microstructural changes that boost hardness and wear resistance.
Experiments were made using two common gear steels, JIS-SCM415 and JIS-S45C, with the laser parameters optimized to achieve the desired hardness profile. Findings showed that the best hardening was achieved with a laser power of 1 000 W, scanning speed of 100mm/s, and a spot size of 1 mm, resulting in a surface hardness of 672 HV and a core hardness of 502 HV. Wear testing indicated that the wear rate of laser-hardened gears was comparable to new conventional gears, with a weight loss of 10-12 mg/hr. The study demonstrates that laser surface hardening can significantly improve the wear resistance of gears, with minimal distortion and precise control over the hardened depth, making it a promising alternative to conventional hardening methods for enhancing gear longevity and performance