Energy Dispersive X-Ray Microanalysis of Part Surface Layer Carburized by Electric Spark Alloying

A new process for carburizing the steel surfaces with an environmentally friendly method of electrospark alloying (CESA) is considered. As a result of the energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, it has been found that the classical CESA technology provides for the surface layers having increased carbon contents and the depths of those surface layers of 70, 100 and 120 μm, respectively, at the discharge energy of 0.9; 2.6 and 4.6 J. The amounts of carbon on the surface are 0.72 to 0.86%. While carrying out the CESA method with the use of the proposed process, the applications of the discharge energies of 0.9; 2.6, and 4.6 J ensure the formation of the surface layers having the increased carbon contents and with the surface layer depths of 80, 120 and 170 microns, respectively. The amounts of carbon on the surface are of 0.75 to 0.84%. With the new CESA process, the pores in the near-surface layer are filled with free graphite, which can be used as a solid lubricant to improve the performance characteristics of the friction pair parts.