TY - JFULL AU - L.C. Kgomari and R.K.K.Mbaya PY - 2010/11/ TI - Metallographic Analysis of Laser and Mechanically Formed HSLA Steel T2 - International Journal of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering SP - 642 EP - 648 VL - 4 SN - 1307-6892 UR - https://publications.waset.org/pdf/6016 PU - World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology NX - Open Science Index 46, 2010 N2 - This research was conducted to develop a correlation between microstructure of HSLA steel and the mechanical properties that occur as a result of both laser and mechanical forming processes of the metal. The technique of forming flat metals by applying laser beams is a relatively new concept in the manufacturing industry. However, the effects of laser energy on the stability of metal alloy phases have not yet been elucidated in terms of phase transformations and microhardness. In this work, CO2 laser source was used to irradiate the surface of a flat metal then the microstructure and microhardness of the metal were studied on the formed specimen. The extent to which the microstructure changed depended on the heat inputs of up to 1000 J/cm2 with cooling rates of about 4.8E+02 K/s. Experimental results revealed that the irradiated surface of a HSLA steel had transformed to austenitic structure during the heating process. ER -