Evaluation of morphological and tribological properties of nanocrystalline nitrocarburised coating produced on AISI H13 carbon steel by pulsed plasma electrolytic saturation (PPES) technique

Abstract

The formation of superficial protective layers produced by pulsed plasma electrolytic saturation techniques appears to offer attractive properties in terms of wear resistance. In order to intensify the beneficial characteristics, a profound understanding of how they are affected by the processing parameters and the obtained nanocrystalline microstructure is required. In the present study, a nitrocarburised coating was produced on AISI H13 steel, and it was characterised using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The tribological properties of the produced coatings were evaluated using the pin on disc method. The results showed that the surface characteristics of the produced layer strongly depend on how the pulse related parameters have been applied. It was also realised that the obtained tribological properties were affected by the morphological characteristics of the produced coatings. The layers on the substrate were in the form of spherical and compact nanocrystalline nitrocarburised coatings.

Keywords:

• Pulse
• Nitrocarburising
• Coating