Abstract
The changes in the microstructure and the surface hardening of chromium (12 wt % Cr) ferritic–martensitic steels in various initial states treated by high-temperature pulsed gas plasma flows (flux energy density Q = 17–78 J/cm2, pulse duration τp = 15–20 μs) have been studied experimentally. Treatment of fuel-element pipes and monolithic specimens of 12% chromium steel under melting of near-surface layers is found to form a gradient structure–phase state with a submicrocrystalline (~130 nm) surface layer up to 10 μm thick. The parameters of the formed cellular submicrostructure and the modified layer thickness are found to weakly depend on the composition and the thermomechanical treatment of the steels. It is shown that treatment of fuel-element pipes made of 12% chromium steels by plasma flows leads to their surface hardening by 40–60% and by a factor of 1.7–1.9 upon surface liquid-phase alloying with aluminum and chromium irrespective of steel composition.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
