Experimental investigation on a novel approach for laser surface hardening modelling

Abstract Laser surface hardening is rapidly growing in industrial applications due to its high flexibility, accuracy, cleanness and energy efficiency. However, the experimental process optimization can be a tricky task number of involved parameters, thus suggesting for alternative approaches such as reliable numerical simulations. Conventional laser models compute achieved hardness on basis microstructure predictions carbon diffusion during heat thermal cycle. Nevertheless, this approach very time consuming not allows simulate real complex products treatments. To overcome limitation, novel simplified modelling presented discussed. The basic assumption consists neglecting austenite homogenization short insufficient heating phase process. In present work, experimentally verified through nano-hardness measurements C45 steel samples both oven treated by means atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique.