Use of computer simulation to determine the relationship between chosen properties of the laser-remelted tool steel surface layer

The research was carried out using FEM simulation of heat treatment of the surface layer of PMHSS6-5-3 steel using a laser. Design/methodology/approach FEM calculations were made using the ANSYS package. The area of FEM simulation was the calculation of heat propagation during laser processing in various process variants, considering the power of the laser beam and the method of delivering the powder to the melting zone. FEM calculations concerned five different three-dimensional models. The proposed model was based on the non-linear 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. Latent heat effects are considered in 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 absorbency. Findings The remelting depth presented in the simulation is close to the depth measured in experimental tests. There were slight differences in the shape of the melted zone between the simulation and the microscope images. The heat flux considered in the simulation is part of the heat transfer mechanism.. The final shape of the crystallised pool will depend on a larger number of parameters. Practical implications Laser technology is now widely used in industry. Many surface engineering technologies use a heat source such as a precisely controlled laser beam. The amount of heat supplied allows operations related to heating the material in order to perform heat treatment, remelting the material and alloying. Originality/value The work contains a description of computer simulation and real tests on PMHSS6-5-3 high-speed steel, the results of which were compared with each other in order to determine the compliance of the computer method with reality.