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Vacuum-plasma, plasma methods of
surface modification of engineering parts
Victor Kazachenko, PhD, Associate professor
Laboratory of Surface Physics and Thin Films,
Belarusian State University of Transport, Gomel 246653,
Belarus, kvp_@mail.ru
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Modification of engineering parts
• PART 1
Deposition of nanostructured TiN+C coatings from pulsed
cathodic-arc plasma discharge in vacuum
• PART 2
Electrofriction Discharge Hardening (EDH) of engineering
parts operating under the conditions of abrasive wear
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PART 1
Nanostructured TiN+C coatings
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Pulsed cathodic arc carbon plasma source
• The cathode is made of titanium.
• The arc ignition system and additional anode are made of graphite.
• The pressure of nitrogen is about 6·10-3 Pa during the coating synthesis.
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Structure of TiN+C coating, synthesized by
pulsed-arc method
AFM 3D
AFM phase
AFM topography
2 m
SEM image of TiN+C coating
5 m
SEM image of TiN coating
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TiN
G mode
D mode
Optical
modes
Acoustical modes
Raman spectroscopy study of TiN+C coatings
Carbon
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Tribotechnical properties of TiN-C coatings
Initial contact pressure:
TiN
580 MPa
660 MPa
Coeffitient of friction 
0,6
0,4
TiN+C
660 MPa
725 MPa
0,2
0,0
0
50
100
Cycle 
150
200
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Applications
measuring tools
simmerings
plunger pairs of high-pressure
fuel pumps
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PART 2
Electrofriction Discharge Hardening
(EDH)
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Electrofriction Discharge Hardening Scheme
1 - rotating tool, 2 - water, 3 - sample, 4 - zone of discharge
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The setups allow hardening
flat surfaces
Experimental Setup Parameters
Maximum discharge power, kW
Tool rotation frequency, min-1
Linear speed, m/min
The size of the processed part, mm
maximum length
maximum width
maximum depth
Value
7,5
1 - 200
0.05 - 10
500
225
50
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Structure and microhardness
HV
with thickness
of the modified
layer of 65Г
steel (65Mn)
EDH current - 250 A
The distance from the surface, mm
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Structure and microhardness
with thickness
HV
of the modified
layer of 35ХГСА
steel (35CrMnSi)
EDH current - 200 A
The distance from the surface, mm
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Structure of surface layers of
ВЧ100 cast iron (ISO 900-2)
Quasi ledeburite
Microhardness – up to 1000 HV
Graphitic inclusions are preserved
Martensite and residual austenite
Microhardness – 800-850 HV
100x
500x
Gradual transition to the pristine
cast iron structure
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Hardened chisel-like
plowshares
(“Kverneland”)
Hardened cartridge
of cutters for rock
fracturing
Hardened zone
The lifetime of the hardened plowshares
increased by 76 ha in sandy loam soils
Hardened zone
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Conclusion
• In comparison with conventional TiN coatings, the
nanocomposite layers of TiN containing carbon
demonstrate lower roughness, less defects, significantly
lower coefficient of friction and high wear resistance
• Electrofriction discharge hardening (EDH) method allows
hardening layers up to 3.5 mm deep without significant
heating of the part. The method does not use expensive
welding materials. Hardened layers exhibit the abrasive
wear rate up to 5 times lower than the pristine material.
The EDH is characterized by high productivity, low-cost
equipment and easy automation. The EDH is suitable for
hardening the soil processing and rock fracturing tools in
agriculture and mining machinery.
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Thank You!
We are looking forward
to successful cooperation.
Victor Kazachenko, PhD, Associate professor
Laboratory of Surface Physics and Thin Films,
Belarusian State University of Transport,
Gomel 246653, Belarus,
kvp_@mail.ru