Selected Properties of the Surface Layer of C45 Steel Parts Subjected to Laser Cutting and Ball Burnishing

In this article, we report the results of experimental studies on the impact of ball burnishing parameters on the roughness, microstructure and microhardness of the surface layer of laser-cut C45 steel parts. We also analysed the distribution of residual stresses generated in the surface layer of these parts. Laser-cut parts often require finishing to improve the quality of their surface. The tests performed in this study were aimed at assessing whether ball burnishing could be used as a finishing operation for parts of this type. Ball burnishing tests were performed on an FV-580a vertical machining centre using a mechanically controlled burnishing tool. The following parameters were varied during the ball burnishing tests: burnishing force F(n), path interval f(w) and the diameter of the burnishing ball d(n). Ball burnishing of laser-cut C45 steel parts reduced the surface roughness parameters Sa and Sz by up to 60% in relation to the values obtained after laser cutting. Finish machining also led to the reorganization of the geometric structure of the surface, resulting in an increase in the absolute value of skewness Ssk. This was accompanied by an increment in microhardness (maximum microhardness increment was ΔHV = 95 HV0.05, and the thickness of the hardened layer was g(h) = 40 µm) and formation of compressive residual stresses in the surface layer.