Deformation behavior and microstructural changes of a hardened high carbon alloy steel in laser bending

The deformation behavior and microstructure of a hardened high carbon alloy steel in laser bending was examined. A CO2laser unit was used to bend the samples at different laser powers, number of scans and scanning velocities. At laser powers of 150 and 200 W, a linear relationship between bending angle and number of scans was obtained. With increase in line energy the bending angle also increased. The microstructure and microhardness profile of the sheets deformed at low and high-energy inputs were examined. No melting was observed and tempered martensite could be found at the bottom surface of bent region for accumulated energy density (AED) of 97 J/mm2.