Influence of oxide layer on carbon diffusion during anode plasma electrolytic carburizing

• Published in: Protection of metals and physical chemistry of surfaces 2014-03, Vol.50 (2), p.223-229
• Main Authors: Kusmanov, S. A., Belkin, P. N., D’yakov, I. G., Zhirov, A. V., Mukhacheva, T. L., Naumov, A. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodic; Carbon; Carburizing; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coatings; Corrosion and Coatings; Diffusion; Diffusion layers; Electrolytes; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Inorganic Chemistry; Low carbon steels; Materials; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; New Substances; Oxides; Tribology
• ISSN: 2070-2051; 2070-206X
• DOI: 10.1134/S2070205114020099

This study is devoted to the effect of the oxide layer formed upon anodic plasma-electrolytic carburization on the rate of carbon diffusion in low carbon steels upon application of an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride with glycerol as a working electrolyte. Approximate determinations of carbon distribution in the surface layer of low carbon steels after their anodic plasma-electrolytic carburizing confirmed the hypothesis that there is deceleration of carbon diffusion by the oxide layer. Different structures of the oxide layer were revealed that depend on the method of sample cooling after their saturation with carbon in an anodic vapor-gas envelope. A possibility of controlling the thickness of the oxide layer was shown, as well as clarification of the surface by the choice of an electrolyte and treatment mode, was shown. A reduction in the roughness of the carburized surface from 0.62 ± 0.02 to 0.22 ± 0.02 μm was revealed.