Abstract
Laser induced surface hardening of Tool steel(STC5) can be achieved either with or without surface melting. In trans-formation hardening as the surface is heated to a temperature below its melting point and is rapidly cooled solidified microstructures are usually much finer and stronger than those of the base matals. For this reason surface modification of tool steel by YAG laser irradiation has been studied as a function of processing parameters such as power density pulse width defocusing distance and molten depth. The high energy density changes and refines the microstructure of the near surface layer. In the case of beam passes martensite formed in the melt zone exhibited very high vickers hardness values. Molten depth and width depend on defocusing distance and energy of black color painting is more absorptive than other color painting.