The difference between high-frequency quenching and laser heat treatment

High frequency quenching is a method that uses high-frequency induced current to rapidly heat the surface of steel parts, followed by immediate cooling. The principle is that when a certain frequency of alternating current is passed through a conductor coil, an alternating magnetic field of the same frequency will be generated inside and outside the coil. If the workpiece is placed inside the coil, the workpiece will induce alternating current and heat it up. The distribution of induced current in the workpiece is uneven, and the current density is highest on the surface, which is known as the "surface effect". The depth of induced current penetration into the surface of the workpiece mainly depends on the frequency of the current (cycles/second). The higher the frequency, the shallower the depth of current penetration, and the thinner the hardened layer.
Laser heat treatment is a method of surface treatment of metals using high-power density laser beams, which can achieve laser heat treatment of metals.
Surface modification treatments such as phase transformation hardening (also known as surface quenching, surface amorphization, surface remelting, etc.) and surface alloying result in changes in surface composition, structure, and properties that cannot be achieved by large surface quenching. After laser treatment, the surface hardness of cast iron can reach HRC60 degrees or above, and the surface hardness of medium carbon and high carbon steel can reach HRC70 degrees or above, thereby improving its wear resistance, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and other properties, and extending its service life
High frequency quenching and laser heat treatment both have the following characteristics:
1. No need to use external materials, only change the surface structure of the treated material The modified layer after processing has sufficient thickness and can be adjusted to a depth of 0.1-0.8mm as needed

2. The bonding strength between the processing layer and the substrate is high The modified layer of laser surface treatment has a dense metallurgical bond with the substrate material, and the surface of the treated layer has a dense metallurgical structure with high hardness and wear resistance

3. The deformation of the processed part is extremely small. Due to the high laser power density and short interaction time with the part (10-2-10 seconds), the thermal deformation zone and overall change of the part are very small. Therefore, it is suitable for high-precision part processing as the final processing step for materials and parts.

4. Good processing flexibility and wide applicability. By utilizing a flexible light guiding system, the laser can be freely directed towards the processing section, making it convenient to process deep holes, inner holes, blind holes, and grooves, and allowing for selective local processing.