Influence of gaseous atmosphere on the formation of coatings on iron under the conditions of electric-spark alloying

The influence of gaseous atmospheres on the phase composition and physicomechanical properties of the coatings on iron after electric-spark treatment was studied. Electric-spark alloying was performed in an EFI-Elitron installation for a working current Iw = 3A, and open-circuit voltage Uo. v. = 50 V, an energy of the pulse E = 10.1J, and a frequency of the pulses f = 50 Hz in air and in a chamber with propane-butane. The microstructure and microhardness were studied by using an MIM-10 microscope and a PMT-3 device under a load of 50g. The results of microdurometric analysis of the coatings formed on specimens of commercially pure iron subjected to electric spark alloying with titanium and chromium anodes in air and in propane butane. After ESA in propane-butane, it was observed that the formation of titanium carbide as a result of saturation of the coating with carbon from the atmosphere.