The drilling tool electrolyte-plasma material hardening technology planning and research

The research shows the results of electrolyte-plasma treatment influence on structure-phase state, mechanical properties and wear-resistance of drilling tool steel samples. The comparative analysis of microstructure, microhardness and wear-resistance of the samples in initial state and after electrolyte-plasma treatment is presented. It was found out that 18CrNi3MoA-Sh steel microstructure has fine-grained martensite-bainite structure after the treatment. It was set that 18CrNi3MoA-Sh steel possesses high wear-resistance after electrolyte-plasma treatment so that technology is characterized by low power consumption and cost price. The initial state microhardness is 2800 MPa upon the average. Microhardness on the bearing lane surface after electrolyte-plasma processing is 7500 MPa upon the average. Microhardness increases 2-2.5 times more before treatment that indicates the technology efficiency.