A. Nakonieczny, E. Kasprzycka, T. Babul, Institute of Precision Mechanics, Warsaw, Poland; J. Senatorski, Institute of Precision Mechanics, Warszawa, Poland
The paper presents the results of investigations concerning carbide layers, formed on the surface of tool steel in vacuum chromizing process. The vacuum chromizing consists in holding steel at the temperature over 1000oC in chromium vapour under low pressure conditions. The sublimating chromium atoms, after the transition through the reaction space, condense on the steel surface and then diffuse in it to create a layer. The vacuum chromizing is an ecological treatment (non-toxic substrates, absence of waste), by means of which it is possible to obtain hard carbide layers, characterized by high hardness, as well as good wear resistance. The object of the investigations in this paper was to determine the microstructure and tribological properties of carbide layers, formed on the surface of tool steel in a vacuum treatment. Tribological properties of the carbide layers were evaluated by sliding wear tests with concentrated contact. High resistance to wear of the investigated chromized layers was determined.
Summary: The paper presents the results of investigations concerning carbide layers, formed on the surface of tool steel in vacuum chromizing process. The object of the investigations in this paper was to determine the microstructure and tribological properties of carbide layers, formed on the surface of tool steel in a vacuum treatment. Tribological properties of the carbide layers were evaluated by sliding wear tests with concentrated contact. High resistance to wear of the investigated chromized layers was determined.
