METHOD OF APPLYING HARD COATINGS Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy, particularly, formation of protective coatings; applicable in mechanical engineering in hardening of tools and worn surfaces of various parts. SUBSTANCE: saturation with carbide forming elements is carried out by pulses of plasma into which alloying elements are introduced in passing of electric current with density of 2000-8000 A/sq.cm through plasma and shock-compressed layer formed on article working surface, mainly, from nitrogen and carbon. Saturation is carried out by 5-10 plasma pulses directed onto article working surface only. Plasma contains carbides and metals of 4th, 5th and 6th groups of Mendeleyev periodic table. After each pulse of saturation, working surface is blown with cooling gas consisting, mainly, of nitrogen. Shock-compressed layer is formed by gas jet supplied square to working surface with velocity of 3-8 km/s. Alloying process is considerably intensified by passing electric current through a layer of shock-compressed plasma localized on article working surface and simultaneous treatment with pulses of magnetic field and electroplastic deformation. Method provides for saving of resources due to low consumption of alloying elements and electric power. EFFECT: higher efficiency. 7 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl, 2 ex