Laser hardening
Laser hardening is an efficient and extremely flexible process for the targeted and precise hardening of metallic components. As a specialist in laser processing, BLS offers both the latest technology and hardware (including real-time temperature control) as well as the necessary expertise and experience in laser hardening.
Laser hardening - advantages with BLS
The laser hardening process offers flexibility and precision at the same time. Even the most complex geometries of a component can be processed thanks to the special Trumpf hardening optics. All metallic materials containing carbon can be hardened. Automated CNC control of the laser ensures maximum precision and excellent quality of the hardened functional layers. High process speeds, automation and minimal distortion due to low heat input also ensure low overall costs for laser hardening.
What is laser hardening?
Laser hardening – also known as laser beam hardening – utilises the advantages of a laser to harden a metallic component. The laser heats defined areas of the metal part in order to increase the strength of the material at this point by transforming the microstructure. The treated material layer undergoes austenitisation as a result of the heat treatment, which transforms the material with a ferritic-pearlitic structure into hard martensite. The metallurgical properties remain unchanged.
During the process, the treated material layer is heated by laser almost to the melting temperature (approx. 900 – 1400 °C). As the laser continues to move, the surrounding material cools the heated material layer directly. The heat is dissipated into the interior of the component and self-quenching takes place. The result is a hard surface that can be subjected to high mechanical and chemical stresses. The achievable hardness depends on the material; the maximum hardness possible for the material is usually achieved.
Success factors in laser hardening
Laser hardening is a process that belongs to the surface layer hardening processes. A surface layer is hardened very briefly and selectively. Laser hardening is therefore very often used to specifically prevent wear, deformation or abrasion in components.
The precision of the CNC-controlled laser focusses the heat input extremely precisely on specific, highly stressed functional surfaces. Together with the high speed of the process, this minimises distortion and rework.
Laser hardening of the materials of a component is possible as long as the metallic materials have a significant carbon content (at least 0.2 %, usually 0.3-0.4 %). This is necessary because austenitisation for hardening can only take place if carbon atoms can change their position in the metal lattice structure.
Laser hardening processes
In addition to standard surface hardening, there are other variants of laser beam hardening for special applications. For example, larger areas can be processed with laser contour hardening and very thin layers with laser shock hardening. Quasi-simultaneous hardening is used for efficient hardening of entire contours of small components.
Laser contour hardening
Hardening of larger surfaces or point-like, filigree shapes, with special hardening optics for shaping the laser beam and a pyrometer for temperature control in real time
Quasi simultaneous hardening
Fast, targeted hardening of entire contours of small components by using an additional laser scanning system to control the laser beam
Laser shock hardening
Use of a pulsed laser beam for hardening very thin edge layers (~10-20 µm) on small or thin components
Over 35 years of experience and the trust of
more than 500 customers speak for us.
With extensive laser experience, BLS supports customers as a contract manufacturer from parameter determination / basic development through prototype production to series production. High-performance machinery and different types of lasers and systems enable an optimized overall product. The quality management system and exchanges with leading research institutions ensure quality at the highest level on a permanent basis.
Do you have any questions about what BLS Lasertechnology GmbH has to offer?
Laser hardening application possibilities
Laser beam hardening can be used to harden metallic materials with a carbon content of at least 0.2%. During the heat input, the carbon atoms change position in the metal lattice, resulting in austenitisation and hardening of the treated layer during cooling. The carbon content also determines the maximum achievable hardness. There are no restrictions in terms of component geometry; thanks to our 3D systems and so-called ‘flying optics’, we at BLS enable accessibility from all sides. One disadvantage of laser hardening is that through-hardening an entire component is rather cost-intensive.
- Laser hardening of metallic materials with carbon content of at least 0.2%
- Tool, cold work and hot work steel
- Unalloyed structural steel and quenched and tempered steel
- Case hardening steel with carburizing
- Laser hardening without inert gas
- Laser hardening with inert gas to form the hardening track
- Other variants on request
- Free-form surfaces
- Cut edges
- Grooves or slots
- Guideways
- Drill holes or recesses
- Various geometries and shapes
BLS Laser Hardening Offering
BLS Lasertechnology GmbH has a deep expertise for laser hardening in Germany and has an extremely wide service offering for customers. In addition to the hardening of the components, BLS helps customers with design and planning to guarantee an optimal process result in serial production.
- Support in the design of the component for an optimal hardening result
- Design and manufacture of individual, customer-specific fixtures and clamping systems
- Cleaning of the parts before processing by an in-house industrial cleaning plant
- Laser hardening from prototypes (sample production) to large-scale production series
- (Partial) automation of loading and unloading for large batch productions
- Determination of optimal laser type, parameter determination and application development
- Heating: thermal with industrial furnace (inner dimensions: 1000 x 1000 x 1000mm) or inductive with generator
- Laser hardening with hardening depth of up to 0.5mm, other depths on request
- Laser hardening precise and with hardness depths according to technical drawing and / or per agreement
- Hardness measurement on the machined components in BLS internal measurement laboratory
Laser hardening Trumpf - Advantages in the field of laser hardening
The Trumpf PFO technology enables flexible, low-distortion and uniform laser hardening. An integrated temperature control regulates the laser power independently of the location. This prevents heat build-up at edges, holes or corners of the component and achieves a uniform hardening depth with a defined degree of hardness. With Trumpf’s scanner technology, large surfaces and difficult component geometries can be hardened flexibly, homogeneously and at a precise temperature.
We are happy to advise you!
BLS Lasertechnology GmbH has all common laser welding processes at its disposal. We will be happy to advise you on the selection of the right process, taking into account the requirements of the weld seam and the component to be processed. Quality and an optimum result are always our priority. Contact us and together we will find a solution to your problem!
