CONTROL OF PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE TITANIUM ALLOY SURFACE BY SHORT LASER PULSES

Abstract

The physical and mechanical properties of the surface layer of titanium alloys VT18u and VT9 processed by laser pulses are investigated. Laser processing consists of a series of pulses with a duration of ≈20 ns. Various laser processing methods are used, which differ in power density, pulse repetition rate, algorithm for forming a matrix of irradiated sections, etc. The changes in microhardness are examined. The dependences of microhardness on the load at the indenter are established. It is shown that the quality of the formed surface and its properties are determined by the parameters of laser pulses and the processing technology as a whole. Regimes are established that provide an increase in the microhardness of the material, as well as the resistance of the treated surface to cracking and fracture under local loading. The mechanisms of complex improvement of the mechanical properties of the surface layer of a material under the influence of laser treatment are also discussed. A significant advantage of the proposed treatment method is the simultaneous increase in microhardness and resistance to crack formation.

Keywords

• mechanical properties
• titanium alloys
• surface layer
• microhardness
• laser treatment