Wear resistance of strengthened layers with nanocrystalline structure in friction with boundary lubrication

Abstract

Friction treatment refers to surface strengthening (hardening) methods using highly concentrated energy sources. The source of thermal energy occurs in the contact area of the tool-part due to high-speed friction (60–90 m/s) of the tool on the treated surface. The heating rate of the metal surface layer is 105–106 K/s. After moving the energy source from the contact zone, high speed cooling of the surface layer of the metal takes place. The cooling rate is 104–5∙105 K/s. Under the action of high-speed heating and cooling of the contact area of the tool-part in the surface layers, a strengthened (hardened) nanocrystalline (white) layer is formed. The formed nanocrystalline surface layer has other physical, mechanical, chemical properties in comparison with the base metal of the part. Studies have shown that in the process of friction treatment of working surfaces of parts made of Steel 40NiCr6 (quench hardening and low-temperature tempering) a strengthened layer with a thickness of 250–320 μm with a hardness of 7.6–9.2 GPa is formed. The grain size of the surface strengthened layer was 20–40 nm near the treated surface. The formation of the strengthened layer is influenced by the shape of the working surface of the tool. Thus, a strengthened layer of greater thickness and hardness is obtained when machining with a tool with transverse grooves on the working part than with a tool with a smooth working part. Experimental studies in friction with maximum lubrication of pair “Steel 40NiCr6 and Grey Cast Iron GG20” showed that the strengthened nanocrystalline layer significantly increases the performance during sliding friction. Only samples made of steel were strengthened, counter-samples made of gray cast iron were not strengthened. The wear intensity of strengthened pair is 2.2–3.1 times less compare to unstrengthened pair. During the friction of the strengthened pair, the coefficient of friction and the temperature in the sliding zone also decrease. The best results were obtained when studying the friction pair in which the samples were strengthened with a tool with transverse grooves on its working part.