Mechanical and Tribological Features of the 90MnCrV8 Steel after Plasma Nitriding

Abstract

The paper deals with the change in mechanical properties and wear of 90MnCrV8 universal tool steel after plasma nitriding, which is widely used to produce cutting tools with good durability and low operating costs. Plasma nitriding was performed at a temperature of 500 °C for 10 hour period in a standard N2 /H2 atmosphere with 1:3 gases ratio. Microstructure, phase structure, thickness of a nitriding layer and surface roughness of samples were measured with optical microscopes and a profilemeter. Verification of a chemical composition was carried out on the BAS TASMAN Q4 device. Wear resistance was measured on a universal TRIBOLAB UTM 3 tribometer, through a pin on disc method. The results of experiments have shown that plasma nitriding process, significantly improves the mechanical and tribological properties of selected materials.