Investigation into Physicomechanical Properties of VK6, VK8, and T5K10 Hard Alloys after Volumetric Pulsed Laser Hardening

Abstract

This article describes the mechanical properties (microhardness, bending strength, abrasive wear resistance) of VK6, VK8, and T5K10 hard alloys after volumetric pulsed laser hardening (VPLH). It is demonstrated that selection of optimum hardening modes (energy and duration of laser pulse, laser beam diameter, distance between radiation point to main cutting edge) can be based on X-ray structural analysis. This reduces significantly the consumptions of materials, time, and expenses required for laboratory tests. The obtained results are compared and their validity is estimated using mathematical statistics.