Modeling the temperature distribution during laser hardening process

A mathematical model has been developed here to calculate the temperature distribution on the surface and bulk of a steel plate under the laser hardening process. The model starts from the basic heat equation, is then developed to a volumetric form and is connected to the various solid phases existing. The model is based on two strongly influencing parameters of the laser hardening process: velocity of the laser spot and irradiation time. The results are compared to the available experimental data reported in the literature. The volumetric model provides an assessment of temperature distribution in both the vertical and horizontal axis. Laser irradiation at sufficiently high fluence can be used to create a solid state phase change on the surface. Primary calculations show that the temperature profile has a Gaussian distribution in horizontal x-and y-axis and presents an exponentially decreasing distribution in the horizontal and vertical depth directions.