Effect of the laser heat treatment on the formation of the gradient structures in alloys based on Fe – Cr – Ni system

The possibility of producing gradient materials, i.e. materials with pre-set distribution of areas having fundamentally different physical and mechanical characteristics, with the help of laser heat treatment was investigated. Using as an example austenitic-martensitic alloys of iron-chromium-nickel, subjected to cold plastic deformation led to formation of martensite, we show that using laser at the temperature higher than the temperature of reverse martensite transformation leads to the formation of areas of high-strength austenite having predetermined form inside the martensite matrix. Influence of austenite areas geometry on mechanical properties of gradient material was studied.