Quality assessment of AL-C-B coatings on steel surfaces obtained by electro spark alloying

Abstract

Problem. As a rule, during the operation of the product, the surface layers of materials are most affected. These can be parts that work in aggressive environments, at high temperatures, various force actions, the presence of abrasive particles, etc. Under such conditions, different types of steels and alloys are used, and, most commonly, it is high-alloy, which significantly complicates the manufacturing process and increases the cost of the finished product. Diffusion coating methods are the most widespread in the industry, which is due to the best study and ease of these processes. However, there are alternative methods of surface treatment, which are devoid of the disadvantages of diffusion methods.
 The goal is to develop a method of obtaining boron-containing coatings of the Al-C-B system by the electro spark alloying (ESA), applying STS to the treated surface, to study the processes of structural and phase formation of surface layers depending on the energy processes of ESA and substrate material. Methology. Samples made of steel 20 and 40 were used for the study, on which a coating consisting of their sulfur ointment, aluminum powder, amorphous boron powder was applied. Without waiting for drying, the ESA surfaces of the samples were carried out with a graphite electrode on an installation with a discharge energy of 0.13, 0.55 and 4.9 J. The surface roughness after treatment was determined on a profilograph-profilometer by removing and processing profilograms. Metallographic analysis of coatings was performed using an MIM-7optical microscope, and durometric studies were made on the PMT-3 device according to standard methods. Results: the article presents the original method for obtaining boron-containing coatings of the Al-C-B system by the ESA method, which involves applying a coating consisting of sulfur ointment, aluminum powder, amorphous boron powder on the treated surface, followed by electric spark doping with a graphite electrode.