Wear Resistance of Glow-Discharge Nitride 08Kh18N10 Steel

The influence of the modes of anhydrous nitriding of 08Kh18N10 steel on its phase composition, distribution of the main alloying elements, and the content of nitrogen in the nitride layer, microhardness and specific wear were investigated. With an increase in the temperature and duration of 08Kh18N10 steel nitriding simultaneously with the increase in the thickness of the nitrided layer, the nitrogen content in steel decreases and a drop in the hardness of the upper part of the nitride zone was observed. At the same time, the hardness gradually increases to the maximum values typical of the boundary of the nitride and diffusion zones. Laboratory tests on hydroabrasive wear showed that, compared to the initial state, the wear resistance of 08Kh18N10 steel, nitrided at P = 120 Pa, T = 600°C for 3 h, increased twofold. Industrial tests of centrifuge rotors at concentrating mills confirmed the results of laboratory investigations.