Formation of the Cut Surface and the Surface Hardening of Chain Sprockets Made of St3 and 30KhGSA Steels during Laser Cutting

The influence of the laser cutting parameters on the quality of the cut surface of chain sprockets made of 6-mm-thick St3 and 30KhGSA sheet steels is comprehensively studied. The quality of the cut surface is characterized by the absence of burrs, roughness R z , and heat-affected zone length L . A nomogram of correspondence between R z and L is proposed, and favorable technological conditions for laser cutting of the sprockets made of St3 steel are calculated. The possibility of surface hardening of chain sprockets during laser cutting is confirmed for the steels under study and the chosen sheet thickness.