Abstract
The relevance of applying the electrolyte-plasma modification method for crankshaft refurbishment has been demonstrated. A processing technique for crankshaft samples made of 42CrMoVA steel (GOST 4543-2016, equivalent to AISI 4140) using the EPM method has been developed. The examination of the surface microstructure has revealed a phase transformation of troostite into needle-shaped martensite. At depths of up to 2.5 mm, the modified samples have exhibited an increase in microhardness of up to 64%. The results of raster elemental analysis have confirmed that the chemical composition of 42CrMoVA steel corresponds to the standard. Tribological tests of the sample surfaces have been conducted using the pin-on-disk method under conditions of both dry and lubricated friction at fixed angular velocity, load, and track radius. Variations in the coefficient of friction between the interacting surfaces have been recorded, and three-dimensional non-contact profilometry has been employed to obtain and analyze wear track profiles. The analysis of the material loss volume during friction has showed that the modified surface has demonstrated at least a 3.5-fold increase in resistance to abrasion.