Application of X-ray diffraction analysis on microstructural investigations of laser-hardened steel surfaces

During surface hardening of steels using laser sources, rapid thermal chang es are imposed which yield to locally different austenitizing and hardening conditions in the laser-affected zone. The hardening surfaces of low alloy ed steel with carbide forming elements are characterized by a depth-resolve d analysis of X-ray interference lines. A diffractometer with CoK alpha rad iation is used to determine besides the half width typical properties of a modified Warren-Averbach analysis. It can be shown that the: carbides and t heir laser-induced dissolution have the most important influence on the mic rostructure of the laser-hardened material.