Tailoring surface properties with lasers for high performance tools
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Luleå tekniska universitet - Institutionen för teknikvetenskap och matematik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 300 000 |
| Project duration | November 2013 - June 2014 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The purpose with the project has been to identify techniques which will strengthen the material based competiveness in the Swedish industry. The goal has been to find promising concepts for laser surface treatment of high performance tools like drilling rods and to plan for a project to further introduce laser surface treatment for these products. Several promising techniques have been identified and a limited amount of experiments and evaluations have been made. The timing is not right to continue the development work in the near future.
Results and expected effects
A theoretical study shows that one method for laser surface treatment expose a potential to improve the properties that have been studied according to market demands, but this has not been verified by the limited experiments and testing performed. More knowledge has to be developed about how the products are affected during service, as well as what fatigue strength and wear resistance the prioritized laser surface processes can give.
Approach and implementation
The project has defined the conditions and demands for laser surface treatment on high performance tools. A state-of-the-art-study reveals that several concepts for laser surface treatment are interesting. Experiments of orientation for two of the laser surface treatment methods on specimens have been done, but the results are not univocal and not technically positive enough. A comprehensive evaluation has been done which shows that it is not suitable to continue the work by a verification project.