METHOD OF SURFACE TREATMENT OF LOW-CARBON STEEL Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: metal working, particularly, methods of surface hardening and increase of wear resistance of structural low-carbon steels by their carburizing and electromechanical machining of surface (diffusion) layer, including operations involved in repairs. SUBSTANCE: method includes diffusion saturation of surface layer with carbon by application of graphite layer, heating of surface layer and cooling. Simultaneously with application of graphite layer, article is subjected to mechanical action by tool with tool pressure exerted on article up to 250 MPa and heating of article surface layer by passing electric current with intensity of 450-650 A through zone of contact of working tool with article with working rate of 0.6-2.5 m/min. Technical result of the invention consists in concurrent saturation of metal surface with carbon and formation of directed microrelief in electromechanical hardening action. EFFECT: increased wear resistance of worked article surface from low-carbon steel. 1 dwg