METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRENGTHENING PRODUCT SURFACES IN VACUUM Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: mechanical engineering. SUBSTANCE: method involves repeatedly providing vacuum deposition in alternation with thermochemical treatment through the whole thickness in plasma of non-self-maintained gas discharge. Mathematical expressions of ratio of time dependence of both alternating operations are recited in Specifications. Apparatus has vacuumizer 1, which is divided by screen 2 into two identical volumes 3,4, with screen 2 being made optically nontransparent but gas plasma-permeable. Electric-arc vaporizers 5,6 of applied metal and electrodes 7,8, DC sources 9,10, commutator 15, time relay 16 and needle-type leaker 17 are positioned in each of identical volumes 3,4. EFFECT: increased efficiency by improved wear-resistance of tools and parts of machines. 3 cl, 3 dwg