Laser generated tool surface out of metal matrix composite

Avoiding lubricants in metal forming offers the possibility of ecological and environmental optimization of industrial production processes. There is a necessity for novel approaches of tool surfaces to withstand higher loads in Dry Metal Forming. In this work, the production technology of a laser generated tool surface with a supporting plateau out of hard particles and its behavior in tribological interaction with high alloy steel are presented. The hard particles stand out of the tool surface and are in direct contact with the sheet material. The influence of the laser energy input on the ablation depth of the metallic matrix and on the ablation depth of the hard particles was investigated. Strip drawing test was applied to determine the friction coefficient as a function of the depression.