The effect on wear resistance of laser alloying with chromium and titanium of grey iron parts

The aim of the presented study is to evaluate the influence of laser alloying with chromium and titanium on the surface layer microstructure and abrasive wear resistance of grey iron parts. A coulter flap was chosen as the object of this investigation. To produce the alloyed layer on the area of the flap that is the most exposed to wear, a diode laser was used as the heat source. The investigation demonstrated that laser alloying with chromium and titanium can increase the wear resistance of components working in abrasive conditions. A smaller mass loss after the wear tests in abrasive conditions of soil could be expected. The laser alloyed layer (with a depth of approx. 400 μm) was characterized by a martensite microstructure (mainly), homogenous morphology and fine grains. A fivefold increase in hardness (approximately 1050HV) in comparison to the hardness of the base material and twofold in comparison to the original ledeburitic surface layer of the coulter flap was noted. Some changes after laser alloying in the surface stereometry were observed (a decrease in the roughness parameters is possible). The roughness parameter values after the wear test decreased in the case of the original and alloyed coulter flaps..