TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF 42CrMo4 STEEL NITRIDED BY PLASMA

Abstract

This paper presents wear behavior of the plasma nitrided 42CrMo4 steel. This steel is used in mechanical industry; it has been assessed by evaluating tribological properties and surface hardness by using a pin-on-disk wear machine and microhardness tester. Experimental results showed that the nitrides ε-Fe2-3N and γ’-Fe4N present in the compound layer increase the microhardness. It is found that plasma nitriding improves the wear rate and the presence of a hard and brittle compound layer on the surface causes an increase in wear of the specimen surface.

Keywords

• Plasma nitriding
• Friction
• Wear
• Steel 42CrMo4