SYNTHESIS OF CARBIDE PHASES IN SURFACE METAL LAYERS IN ELECTROSPARK DOPING BY GRAPHITE AND TRANSITION METALS IN GROUPS IV–VI

Abstract

The paper deals with the electrospark synthesis of carbide phases in the surface layers of some steels (structural and tool) and titanium by graphite and transition metal electrodes: Ti, Cr, Mo, and W. Various schemes for processing compact electrodes and powders of these materials were used. The electrospark doping (ESD) of metal surfaces relies on the phenomenon of polar transfer of the anode tool material to the cathode part when pulse discharges flow in a gaseous medium. The specific ESD features include high adhesion of the deposited material to the substrate, lack of heating to the part during processing, and opportunity of using pure metals and alloys as processing materials. The electrospark doping technology is very simple and the necessary equipment is small, reliable, and transportable.