Comparison of the abrasion wear resistance of the laser alloyed hot work tool steels

Purpose: The paper presents the comparison of the abrasion wear resistance of the laser alloyed hot work tool steels X40CrMoV5-1 and 32CrMoV12-28. Design/methodology/approach: The tribological wear relationships using pin-on-disc test were specified for surface layers subject to laser treatment, determining the friction coefficient, and mass loss of the investigated surfaces. Findings: The performed investigations leads to the conclusions that for both types of steels - X40CrMoV5-1 and 32CrMoV12-28 the wear resistance measured using pin-on-disc, wear resistance test in the metal - metal arrangement, and wear resistance test in the metal - ceramic material arrangement, the wear resistance increases together with the hardness of the surface layer. This relationship is valid for all types of ceramic powders used. It is characteristic for the obtained surface layers, that the high roughness, multiple pores, irregularity, and flashes at the borders increases also together with the increasing of the laser power. Research limitations/implications: In order to evaluate with more detail the possibility of applying these surface layers in tools, further investigations should be concentrated on the determination of the thermal fatigue resistance of the layers. Practical implications: The alloyed layers which were formed on the surface of the hot work steels have shown significant improvement concerning properties. Good properties of the laser treatment make these layers suitable for various technical and industrial applications. Originality/value: A modification of tool steels surface using a laser beam radiation, as well as coating them with special pastes containing carbide particles allows the essential improvement of the surface layer properties - their quality and abrasion resistance, decreasing at the same time the surface quality, what is dependent on the processing parameters such as energy of impulse and the time of its work.