This presentation from the Thermal Processing in Motion conference in June will discuss the enhancement of tribological surface properties and the thermal stability of nitrided layers made possible by a process in which plasma is doped with silicon-containing gasses, a technology known as Plasma Enhanced Nanostructures.
Treatment of small and especially large size metal forming and stamping tools can be realized by application of Plasma Enhanced Nanostructure (PEN). In this strategy, the low-friction thin nanostructured surface is supported by a hard compound zone that in turn is supported by a large diffusion zone. GDMS and XRD analyses were carried out on one of the H-13 samples subjected to this duplex plasma treatment (PEN). The analyses revealed that the surface was enriched with silicon, carbon, and nitrogen.
Mechanical testing carried out on the samples revealed that the properties of the PEN-treated samples were superior to the properties of the plasma nitrided samples and to the non-treated H-13 forging steel samples. Results of the scratch test showed that the critical force at which damage of the surface occurs in PEN samples is much larger (~425 mN) than in the PN sample (~258 mN).
At the same time, the residual depth of the permanent deformation in the PEN sample was smaller (~0.52 µm), than the PN sample (~0.75 µm), and the NN sample (~1.28 µm). Results of Pin-On-Disk wear tests showed reduction of friction coefficient for the PEN layers sliding against the 440C stainless steel ball. The reduction in friction was also achieved with PN samples.
By Dr. Edward Rolinski, Mikel S. Woods, Jacob McCann of Advanced Heat Treat Corp. at the Thermal Processing in Motion Conference June 5-7 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
This paper is to be presented at the Thermal Processing in Motion conference in June in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Learn more and register here: https://www.asminternational.org/web/thermal-processing-in-motion/home
