Thermal Treatment and Improvement of Tribologycal Properties of Automotive Ring by Laser Methods

Abstract

This work presents the results of treatments by CO2laser of automotive rings covered with carbon black slurry, aiming to improve the friction rate and the ring lifetime. The results of this treatment were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Vickers hardness, ball on disk test and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The scanning electron microscopy showed that the laser treated area extent reaches near to 120 μm depth. The measured hardness was about 950 HV0,05and the friction coefficient lower than 0.2. The energy dispersive spectroscopy along the treated cross section showing carbon diffusion into the metallic substrate.