US 11,873,873 B2
System and method of making an enhanced brake rotor with improved wear resistance
Benjamin Everest Slattery, Tecumseh (CA); Kevin P. Callaghan, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US); and Mark T. Riefe, Brighton, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/721,661.
Prior Publication US 2023/0332658 A1, Oct. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. F16D 65/12 (2006.01); C21D 1/18 (2006.01); B23K 26/359 (2014.01); C21D 9/00 (2006.01); C23C 8/32 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 65/127 (2013.01) [B23K 26/359 (2015.10); C21D 1/18 (2013.01); C21D 9/0068 (2013.01); F16D 65/125 (2013.01); C21D 2211/008 (2013.01); C23C 8/32 (2013.01); F16D 2200/0017 (2013.01); F16D 2250/0046 (2013.01); F16D 2250/0053 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
 
1. A method of making an enhanced vehicular brake rotor having enhanced wear resistance, the method comprising:
providing a vehicular brake rotor comprising a base comprised of iron (Fe), the base comprising an outer surface having a target portion;
cleaning the brake rotor to remove contamination thereon;
laser-heating the target portion of the outer surface with a laser beam having an output of between 4000 Watts (W) and 9000 W to a temperature of between 800 degrees Celsius (° C.) and 1400° C., defining a laser-treated portion comprising austenite and having a pattern formed thereon by the laser beam; and
mass quenching the laser-treated portion to ambient temperature at a rate of about 270 degrees Celsius per second such that the austenite transforms to martensite to provide a laser-hardened portion comprising martensite, the laser-hardened portion having the pattern formed thereon and a thickness of between 10 and 100 microns of the outer surface, defining the enhanced brake rotor with enhanced wear and distortion resistance.