Einfluß von Gefüge und Eigenspannungen auf das Ermüdungsverhalten von Laserhärtungsschichten.

Laser hardening is qualified for increasing the fatigue strength especially of notched structural components because of the limited depth and width of hardened zone. The aim of the paper is to investigate critical factors for the fatigue behaviour for laser hardened zones. A specimen geometry favourable for determining the fatigue resistance of the laser hardened microstructures with crack initiation close to the notch root was developed. The fatigue behaviour of specimens hardened by an optimum irradiation regime was investigated with regard to critical elements of microstructure for failure under symetrical tension- compression loading. Residual stress measurements were carried out.