Kombayev Kuat, Khoshnaw Fuad, Uazyrkhanova Gulzhaz, Moldabayeva Gulzhaz
International School of Engineering, East Kazakhstan State Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk 070004, Kazakhstan.
School of Engineering and Sustainable Development, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK.
Materials (Basel). 2024 Dec 10;17(24):6043. doi: 10.3390/ma17246043.
This study aimed to develop an alternative surface hardening technique for low-carbon steel alloy type 20Ch using plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The surface hardening of 20Ch alloy steel samples was achieved through PEO in a NaCO electrolyte solution. Optimal processing parameters were determined experimentally by measuring voltage and applied current. Quenching was performed in the electrolyte stream, and plasma was ionised through excitation. A mathematical model based on thermal conductivity equations and regression analysis was developed to relate the key parameters of the hardening process. The results from both the experimental and mathematical models demonstrated that PEO significantly reduces hardening time compared to traditional methods. The microstructural images revealed the transformation of the coarse-grained pearlite-ferrite structure into quenched martensite. Vickers microhardness tests indicated a substantial increase in surface hardness after PEO treatment, compared to the untreated samples. The major advantages of PEO include lower energy consumption, high quenching rates, and the ability to perform localised surface treatments. These benefits contribute to overall cost reduction, making PEO a promising surface hardening method for various industrial applications.
本研究旨在开发一种使用等离子体电解氧化（PEO）对20Ch型低碳合金钢进行表面硬化的替代技术。通过在NaCO电解液中进行PEO处理，实现了20Ch合金钢样品的表面硬化。通过测量电压和施加电流，实验确定了最佳工艺参数。在电解液流中进行淬火，并通过激发使等离子体电离。基于热导率方程和回归分析建立了一个数学模型，以关联硬化过程的关键参数。实验模型和数学模型的结果均表明，与传统方法相比，PEO显著缩短了硬化时间。微观结构图像显示粗晶珠光体-铁素体结构转变为淬火马氏体。维氏显微硬度测试表明，与未处理的样品相比，PEO处理后的表面硬度显著提高。PEO的主要优点包括能耗低、淬火速率高以及能够进行局部表面处理。这些优点有助于降低总体成本，使PEO成为各种工业应用中一种有前景的表面硬化方法。
