Electrofrictional Hardening of the 40Kh and 65G Steels

This study investigated the influence of electrofrictional treatment on the structure and hardness of the surface layers of the 40Kh and 65G steels. Based on the results of scanning electron microscopy, it was determined that during the electrofrictional hardening (EFH) of 40Kh steel, a hardened surface layer, with a microhardness of 873 ± 37 HV0.1, was formed. This layer consisted of two zones: a surface-quenched zone, with a structure of fine needle-like martensite and austenite; and a heat-affected zone (transition layer), with a structure of martensite and high-dispersion pearlite (troostite), smoothly transitioning into the original ferrite–pearlite structure. After EFH, a layer with a thickness of ~150 μm containing carbides in the martensite was formed on the surface of the 65G steel, which smoothly transitions into the heat-affected zone with a structure of needle-like martensite. The microhardness of the 65G steel in its initial state was 277 ± 20 HV0.1, and after EFH, it reached 811 ± 23 HV0.1. The results of the microstructure analysis of the 40Kh and 65G steels after EFH were consistent with the results of X-ray phase analysis. It was established that the phase composition of the 40Kh and 65G steels in their initial states consisted of an α-Fe phase with a body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice, and after EFH, both steels formed strengthening phases: residual austenite (γ-Fe) and martensite (α′-Fe). During EFH, under high temperature and pressure conditions, carbon from the cast iron electrode was alloyed with iron, contributing to the formation of cementite on the surface of the 65G steel. These obtained data allowed us to conclude that electrofrictional treatment is an effective method for the surface hardening of 40Kh and 65G steels.