Abstract
This study analyses the effect of electrolytic plasma treatment on improving the wear resistance of 30CrMnSi steel used under conditions of high abrasive and impact-abrasive loads. The samples were processed using various technological regimes, namely electrolytic plasma quenching, nitriding, nitrocarburising, and carburising. A range of analytical methods were employed to comprehensively characterise the structure, phase composition, and mechanical properties, including SEM/EDS, XRD, and microhardness testing. The tribological properties of the materials were evaluated using a TRB3 tribometer, and abrasive and impact-abrasive wear tests were performed in accordance with GOST 23.208–79 and GOST 23.207–79 standards. The results show that electrolytic plasma treatment leads to the formation of diffusion layers with a thickness of 50–150 μm, accompanied by the formation of carbide, nitride, and carbonitride phases (Fe4C, Fe7C3, Fe4N, Fe2N, Fe3(CN)). This process results in a significant increase in surface hardness (up to 610–930 HV) and improved wear resistance. The study indicates that electrolytic plasma nitrocarburising provides a favourable combination of hardness and tribological behaviour, leading to a low friction coefficient (0.25–0.35) and enhanced resistance to abrasive and impact-abrasive wear. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of this technology for improving the performance of components made of 30CrMnSi steel operating under severe wear conditions.