Abstract
The influence of the electrolyte composition with carbamide and ammonium chloride on the structure of low carbon steel was investigated in anode plasma electrolytic nitrocarburising (PEN/C). An X-ray diffractometer, a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an optical microscope were used to characterize the phase composition of the modified layer and its surface morphology. Surface roughness and topology were studied with the use of a profilometer–profilograph and an atomic force microscope. The hardness of the treated and untreated samples was measured using a microhardness tester. Carbamide is demonstrated to decompose via isocyanic acid with result of ammonia and carbon monoxide as carbon and nitrogen donors. It is established that the influence of concentration of ammonium chloride and carbamide on the size of the structural components of the hardened layer is explained by the competition of the anode dissolution, high-temperature oxidation and diffusion of the saturating component. The electrolyte composition (10–15% ammonium chloride, 15% carbamide) and processing mode (850–950°C, 5min) of low carbon steels allowing one to obtain the hardened surface layer up to 0.2mm with microhardness 740HV and with decrease in the roughness of 9 times are proposed. The anode plasma electrolytic nitricarburising could decrease friction coefficient and increase wear resistance of the low carbon steel.
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