Impact of Electronic Radiation on the Morphology of the Fine Structure of the Surface Layer of R6M5 Steel

In recent decades, great efforts have been made to significantly improve the performance characteristics of high-speed steel using various surface hardening techniques. Electron beam modification is engaging because it has an exceptionally high thermal efficiency and can significantly improve steels’ physical and mechanical properties. This work is devoted to researching the fine structure and changing the structural phase state of the surface layer of R6M5 high-speed steel after exposure to an electron beam. Electron beam treatment of steel R6M5 was carried out on a vacuum installation. The structure and phase composition of P6M5 steel samples were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Determined that after electron irradiation, the steel structure as in the initial state consists of martensite, carbides and residual austenite. After electron irradiation, an increase in the volume fraction of lamellar martensite is observed: the fraction of lamellar martensite in the initial state is 80%, and after irradiation, it is ~90% of the total fraction of α′-martensite. The action of the electron beam led to an increase in internal stresses in α′-martensite. Revealed, the value of the scalar dislocation density in R6M5 steel after exposure to an electron beam is higher than in the initial state. A cardinal difference in the state of the material after exposure to an electron beam is the presence of bending extinction contours in all M6C carbide particles.

Effect of plasma beam irradiation on the microstructure and phase composition of high-speed steel R6M5

The present study is devoted to research into the morphology and structural-phase state of an R6M5 high speed steel surface layer after it was affected by a plasma beam. It was discovered, that R6M5 steel is a multi-phase material with an α-phase, γ-phase (retained austenite) and carbide phase just as in the initial state. The main phase component of the R6M5 steel matrix before and after plasma beam processing was an α-phase (γ → α’-martensite): lamellar and lath martensite; but lamellar martensite is dominated by a volume ratio ~90 % gross share α’-martensite. The γ-phase as the second morphological component of the steel matrix (retained austenite) yields within the martensite plates the form of twintype colonies with a volume ratio of ~6 %. It was established that there were М6С -type carbide particles of complex composition (Fe,W,Mo)6C in the material just as in the initial state. It should be said that in its initial state, the dislocation structure, formed under the effect of the plasma beam, is characterized by fairly high value of excess density of dislocations with an average value of ρ± = 2.0 × 1010 cm-2 (in the initial state ρ± = 1.7 × 1010 cm-2) along with scalar density. The depth of torsion curve of the face-centered space lattice in the α’-martensite is χ = 500 cm-1 (in the initial state it is equal to χ ~436 cm-1), the amplitude of the inner long-distance voltage is σ∂ = 280 МPа (in the initial state it is equal to σ∂ = 260 МPа). Thus, the amplitude of shift voltage is equal to σL = 420 МPа (in the initial state it is σL = 350 МPа); nevertheless, σL > σ∂ remains the mean torsion-curve of the fcs-lattice of α’-martensite maintaining its lamellar nature after the effect of the electron beam much as in the initial state.

Auger and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of the Tribocontact Surface after Laser Modification

The samples of the tool steel P6M5 were modified by means of laser irradiation (hereinafter - LO). The chemical composition of the sample surface before and after the LO was studied using the Auger and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (hereinafter - AES and XPS respectively). It was found that while the steel is exposed to LO, the thick oxide layer consisting mainly of the Fe2O3 oxide is formed. It was established that the modification with LO leads to increasing of wear resistance and durability of the R6M5 steel because of a double reduction of the friction coefficient.

Surface Modification of High-Speed Steel by Plasma Nitriding

The article investigates the changing in the structure and phase composition of the R6M5 high-speed steel surface layer after electrolytic-plasma nitriding. It is found that after electrolytic-plasma nitriding on the R6M5 steel surface, modified layer is formed, which consist from a diffusion layer. It was showed phase composition of difysion layer is changing depending on the nitriding. It is found that electrolytic-plasma nitriding lead to accelerated formation of the modified layer. It is determined that after electrolytic-plasma nitriding on the high-speed steel surface, modified layer is formed, consisting only of the diffusion layer.