INFLUENCE OF CONSTANT MAGNETIC FIELD ON STRUCTURE FORMATION IN STEELS AT HIGH-SPEED LASER PROCESSING

Experimental studies of laser-irradiated layers in a magnetic field (MF) have shown a non-trivial morphology of the surface of handling zone of material in case of reflow. Twisting of a thin layer of liquid metal is observed, irradiated area is getting a crescent appearance, definitely strictly oriented in relation to magnetic flux. This is probably due to the effect of Righi-Leduc, as well as the action of Lorentz forces, which deflect the electrons flow. As a result, there is significant mixing of metal in the irradiation zone, chemical composition equalization, which positively affects the strength properties of the products. One of the important consequences of the MF-effect on the results of laser processing is the phenomenon of magnetostriction. In laser irradiation without MF slide lines were observed on the pre-polished surface patterns resulting from the emerging thermal and structural stresses. By analyzing the topography of irradiated surfaces using modern analysis techniques and computer image processing, it was established that irradiation in MF in conditions of magnetostriction decreases the stress level in irradiated areas and reduces the risk of cracking. The results of temperature measurements at the irradiated spot on cooling stage allow establishing that the cooling rate during laser processing in a MF is considerably higher than without the field. It affects the processes of phase and structural transformations. At laser heating in MF microheterogenic austenite is supercooled with great speed to temperatures of martensite transformation. After that its transformation begins, the sequence of which is determined by the level of local saturation, degree of deformation and is controlled by temperature. The first crystals of martensite are formed in the least saturated areas of austenite, and a very high speed (thousands or tens of thousands of °С/s) of the transformation process beginning γ → α prevents martensite self tempering, which partially can occur when the temperature decreases further due to transformation spread on the remaining volume of austenite, grabbing areas of different saturation. As a result, along with the “fresh-formed” martensite in the areas of laser quenching the martensite is formed, in which segregation of carbon or even ε-carbide may occur and residual austenite with high carbon intensity are formed. Released dispersed carbides contribute to obtaining a sufficiently high hardness values of metals irradiated in a MF.