Structural-Phase State and Properties of Steel After Plasma-Electron Modification

Abstract

The results of investigation of phase and elemental compositions, defect substructure states, mechanical and tribological properties of the modified surface of Steel Gr1 are presented. The process of modification consists in plasma spraying of a Ni–Cr–B–Si-based powder coating followed by its irradiation with a high-intensity pulsed electron beam. It is shown that the coating surface formed by plasma spraying contains micro- and macro-pores and is characterized by high relief. A subsequent processing of the modified surface with a highintensity pulsed electron beam of a submillisecond duration in the mode of surface layer melting is accompanied by smoothing of the coating surface, saturation of the surface layer crystal lattice with Ni, Cr, B and Si atoms, formation of submicron cells of dendritic recrystallization, precipitation of nanosized particles of the second phase, and formation of quench structure. When combined, these treatments result in the formation of a hardened layer up to 1500 μm in thickness, whose microhardness and wear resistance by 4.6–6.5 and 4 factors exceed the respective characteristics of the initial steel.