Optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and microhardness measurements were used to study structure formation within the pulsed-laser irradiated zones of Armco-type material. In such zones, there was either an increased density of dislocations which formed a fragmented structure in the initial grains (at laser irradiation energy densities below 3J/mm2) or various microstructures (at energy densities of 12 to 14J/mm2). The possible microstructures were determined by features of the Fe–C phase diagram, the heating rate and the cooling rate from various temperatures. A correlation was established between strain hardening, and the dislocation density in the laser-treated zone.

Structural State of Armco Iron in the Zone of Pulsed Laser Irradiation. P.Y.Volosevich, V.E.Danilchenko, B.B.Polchuk: Physics of Metals and Metallography, 2001, 91[6], 590-4