Abstract
This study examined the effect of electrolytic plasma hardening (EPH) on the properties of 45-grade steel, which can serve as an alternative to traditional heat treatment methods used before the release of finished products. The results of the experiments showed that the mechanical and operational properties of 45-grade steel significantly improved after the application of EPH. Steel 45, widely used in mechanical engineering and agricultural machinery production due to its strength characteristics and durability, demonstrated a significant increase in performance after treatment. It was observed that the properties of 45- grade steel improved considerably after applying electrolytic plasma hardening methods, with the hardness of the samples increasing by 3.1-3.62 times, and wear resistance improving by 7 times. Moreover, the study highlighted the economic efficiency of the proposed treatment method, showing that the introduction of EPH can lead to a significant reduction in material costs, extended product life, and improved environmental performance by reducing energy consumption and emissions. The use of a non-toxic 20% sodium carbonate solution in EPH contributed to the uniform distribution of electric current in the cell and allowed for achieving optimal cooling rates of the sample.