Abstract
The features of the formation of low-temperature plasma and its interaction with a metal surface were studied in this work. A qualitative model of the interaction of low-temperature plasma with the steel surface during nitriding has been developed by summarizing the available research results and taking into account the specific features of the electrolyte plasma process. In accordance with this model, in the first moments of the interaction of low-temperature plasma with the steel surface in the near-surface layer, which accelerated formation of the Feα(N) solid solution occurs due to the action of directed bombardment of charged particles, which enhances the adsorption and diffusion of nitrogen into the interior of the material, then dispersed particles of nitride of alloying elements are formed as further saturation in places with an increased level of free energy (at lattice defects, at grain boundaries, etc.). Subsequently, transformations occur in the surface zone of the layer when the limiting solubility of nitrogen in iron is exceeded, which leading to the formation of nitrides of the γ′-phase (Fe4N) and ε-phase (Fe2–3N) in it. Thus, electrolyte plasma nitriding opens up many new possibilities, in particular: varying the nitriding temperature over a wide range (400–700 ºC), targeted production of a nitrided layer consisting only of a diffusion layer without a layer of compounds, while obtaining a diffusion layer with particles γ’-phase (Fe4N) of plate form and with finely dispersed nitrides MN (CrN). The use of an electric discharge in an electrolyte (low-temperature plasma) makes it possible to increase the heating rate and diffusion saturation of the material surface. This work is of practical importance, since the studied method of electrolytic-plasma nitriding makes it possible to obtain a modified surface layer on steels with high physical and mechanical properties.