Reciprocating Wear Behavior of Ductile Cast Iron Modified by Pulse Plasma Technology

Abstract

Wear resistance of ductile iron can be improved through di erent surface engineering techniques, each having some limitations and drawbacks. Recently, a new method called pulse plasma technology has been introduced, which through local reinforcement with inserts improves wear resistance of ductile iron without compromising other properties. This paper deals with the improvement of the wear resistance of ductile iron surface modi ed by pulse plasma technology using a tungsten electrode. The surfaces of the samples were treated by C3H8, air, and oxygen gases. The surface morphology and the phase structure in the near surface region of original and treated samples were analyzed with optic microscope, scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The surface properties were evaluated by measuring the microhardness, wear properties and friction coe cient, as well as the elemental depth pro les and chemical composition of the modi ed layer. It was found that the microhardness of the treated samples was much higher. The tribological resistances were also signi cantly improved, as con rmed by the reduced friction coe cient and wear track width. This improvement can be attributed to the di usion of tungsten on the surface layer.

Evaluation of the Microstructure, Tribological Characteristics, and Crack Behavior of a Chromium Carbide Coating Fabricated on Gray Cast Iron by Pulsed-Plasma Deposition

“…Cheng et al [ 35 ] improved the wear characteristics of gray nodular cast iron by steady plasma beam surface melting. The detonation-based pulsed-plasma treatment proposed by Tyurin et al [ 36 , 37 ] was also used to modify ductile cast iron [ 38 ]. Cherenda et al [ 39 ] reported the application of a compression plasma flow to form a coating of the GCI surface.…”