Surface modification of WC—3% Co hard alloy by powerful nanosecond ultraviolet laser pulses

Abstract

The surface quality of the WC—3% Co hard alloy after modification by focused beams of an ultraviolet laser has been investigated. At radiation energy density E ≥ 1.6 J / cm2, traces of melting with a size of 1—3 μm were found on the alloy surface in the impact zone. An increase in intensity of the incident radiation to E ≈ 6.2 J / cm2 leads to an increase in the concentration of cobalt on the surface from 7 to 10%, while the concentration of carbon decreases from 33 to 18%.