Mold Laser Quenching-ShangHai RunQia Electronics Technology Co.,Ltd.

Mold Laser Quenching

Laser quenching, also known as laser surface heat treatment, is a surface modification process designed to enhance the wear resistance and service life of components. It is widely applicable to products ranging from household tools and automotive parts to tooling used in heavy industry and transportation. Laser quenching is most commonly applied to steel and cast iron materials.

The laser performs controlled local heating, rapidly raising the material temperature above the austenitic transformation temperature while remaining below the melting point. The heated surface layer is then cooled instantly by the self-quenching effect of the substrate material, completing the quenching process in a very short time. This forms a highhardness, ultrafine martensitic microstructure, improves surface hardness and wear resistance, and introduces compressive stress on the surface to enhance fatigue strength.

Laser energy absorption depends on material type, carbon content, microstructure, surface condition, size and geometry, and is generally confined to the surface layer. The quenching depth ranges from 0.2–2.0 mm. Beam shaping devices can be used to precisely control the heating area. Therefore, laser heat treatment provides manufacturers with a precise and controllable process to modify tooling and equipment and improve their wear resistance.Characteristics of Laser Quenching1，Precise position control: The depth, area and location of the hardened layer can be accurately controlled as required.

2，Localized selective quenching: Enables partial quenching of large and complex components at any position accessible by laser irradiation, such as groove walls, groove bottoms and small inner holes.

3，Fast heating & self-cooling: No external cooling medium is required. The heat-affected zone is small with almost no deformation, oxidation or decarburization.

4，Uniform hardness and deep hardening layer: The hardened layer depth ranges 0.8–1.8 mm, and the wear resistance can be increased 3–5 times.

Laser quenching technology solves many bottlenecks that cannot be addressed by conventional heat treatment processes, such as quenching of thin-walled parts and inner-hole surface quenching. It has been widely adopted in metallurgy, automotive, mold, hardware tool, cutting tool and machinery manufacturing industries, and is suitable for heat treatment of various types of mechanical parts.

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