The Effect of Laser Beam Scan Rate Changes on Microstructure and Microhardness of Tic Surface Composited H13 Tool Steel

Because of high strength, hardness and chemical stability of titanium carbide (TiC), it is known as an ideal material for manufacturing the different types of composite. In this study, surface of hot work H13 tool steel was composited with TiC particles using pulsed laser process. Hardness of the composited surfaces was measured with a microhardness tester. characterization of the composited area was done using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).The results showed that,laser surface compositing using TiC particles, increased the microhardness of composited layer compare to the untreated H13 tool steel. Increasing in laser beam scan rate, led to decreasing in the temperature of molten basin, so the amont of unmelted TiC particles and microhardness of composited layer increased.