Studies on the selected properties of C45 steel elements surface layer after laser cutting, finishing milling and burnishing

The article presents the results of studies on surface roughness and microhardness of C45 steel elements after laser cutting, and then finishing milling or burnishing. The aim of milling was to get rid of the characteristic “striae” after laser cutting and to improve geometric accuracy. Burnishing caused hardening of C45 steel elements’ surface layer after laser cutting and improvement in surface roughness. In order to measure surface roughness, the Hommel-Etamic device T8000 RC120 – 400 with software was used. The roughness parameters that were analyzed in the article were: amplitude parameters, height parameters and Abbott-Firestone curve. The microhardness measurements were made with the use of Vicker’s hardness test with a weight of 50 g. As a result of the finishing of the surface after cutting, a decrease in surface roughness and improvements in functional qualities were noticed. In addition, hardening of the edgeside area also occurred, which is an advantageous phenomenon.