METHOD FOR SURFACE HARDENING METALLIC ARTICLES Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: chemical-thermal treatment of metals. SUBSTANCE: method lies in the fact that surface of an article of any metal is heated up to melting temperature using short electric arc of reverse polarity and nonconsumable disk electrode of selected saturating metal. In so doing, melt surface of the article is saturated with ions from electrode metal plasma, that ensures achieving desired properties, such as resistance to wear, strength, corrosion resistance, etc. The method is implemented using an arc less than 1 mm with forced cooling electrode down to the temperature of not above 200 C, 15 mm throat, to ensure efficiency. EFFECT: increased degree of surface strengthening, and an opportunity to saturate articles by plasma ions of any metal. 1 dwg