Surface modification of the carbon tool steel by continuous scanning electron beam process

Abstract

The mechanical properties of materials surface are always the key elements to evaluate the performance of materials, which means the surface performance of materials plays a key role especially in some occasion. In this study, the performance of T8, T10 and T12 steel were evaluated by using continuous scanning electron beam process (CSEBP) method for surface modification. The microstructure and properties of the modified layer were studied, and the influence of the electron beam process parameters on the modified layer was discussed. Surface modification of the materials was carried out by varying the beam current of the continuous electron-beam irradiation procedure. Comparing with the initial surface roughness of materials, the ultimate surface roughness was reduced significantly, and which the optimal surface roughness appeared at the beam current of 6 mA. These were all because of the surface shallow melting (SSM). Microstructure, microhardness and wear resistance of materials surface and cross-section after treatment with different processing parameters are investigated by using scanning electron microscope, microhardness meter and universal wear tester. Finally, the influence law of electron beam processing parameters on the modification layer is summarized.