Heat Affected Zone from Laser - Heat Treat Response

[mewhg]

I am going to have some prototype parts laser cut from .125 " thk 4130 sheet. After cutting the parts will be heat treated to 48-50 HRC.

Is there anything I should be concerned with in reference to the heat affected zone from laser cutting after heat treat?

I am pretty sure it will not be an issue but with this part it's the periphery that carries the loads and where wear occurs.

TIA

 

[swall]

I am assuming that you are starting with annealed or normalized 4130 and then doing an austenitize, quench and temper after laser cutting. If that is the case, there will be no problem, as the heat treat will wipe out any HAZ from laser cutting.

 

[dbooker630]

As a precaution when we carburized some 3/8" ASTM A36 stock, we allowed some extra green stock so that any evidence of incipient melting along and immediately below the cut surface could be removed prior to carburizing.

 

[NickE]

Laser leaves a horrible edge (for fatigue) regardless of the HAZ. Unless you perform some sort of finishing process and remove the mechanical defects.

Nick
I love materials science!