Mathematical Model of Electrospark Formation of Wear-Resistant Coatings on Processed Surfaces

Abstract

The article considers a new direction in optimizing the process of plasma hardening of the surfaces of cutting elements of agricultural machines based on the use of electric spark discharge energy. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in optimizing the technological process of hardening the surfaces of cutting elements of agricultural machines by the method of electric spark alloying of carbide material elements. (Materials and methods) A device under RF patent No. 2655420, developed by the scientific supervisor of the subject S. N. Sharifullin, was used for electric spark alloying. A tungsten-cobalt rod with a diameter of 4 millimeters, consisting of 94 percent tungsten and 6 percent cobalt, was used as the electrode material for this case. The processed sample of 65G steel, which is the main material of the working bodies of tillage equipment. The physical and chemical properties of the samples were studied with a scanning electron microscope EVO 50 XVP from Zeiss. (Results and discussion) After the electric spark treatment of the alloyed elements, there were about ten, while their spectra also appear at different irradiation energies. The alloyed elements in the surface layer are not only separate, but also in the form of compounds with other elements. Such alloying elements as carbon, cobalt and tungsten appeared in a noticeable amount in the surface layer. Electric spark treatment allows increasing the microhardness of the surfaces of cutting elements of tillage equipment up to three times. (Conclusions) When developing a mathematical model of the electric spark formation of wear-resistant coatings on the treated surfaces, it is necessary to use the energy conservation equations of the electron gas, the Maxwell equations, the continuity and momentum equations. The complex solution of these equations makes it possible to obtain the required output parameters depending on the input ones.