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Effect of Electrolyte Composition on Characteristics of Plasma Electrolysis Nitrocarburizing

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Abstract

In this article, the effect of electrolyte composition on the characteristics of generated layer by plasma electrolytic nitrocarburizing process is studied. The characterization of the layer was carried out by means of SEM, x-ray diffraction, and EIS techniques. The relationship between workpiece temperature and the chemical composition of electrolyte was determined during the process. Three distinct regions in the temperature-voltage curves were observed. The effect of electrolyte's composition on the electrical parameters such as critical voltage, voltage of plasma formation, current density, and electrolyte conductivity was investigated. XRD studies showed that in addition to nitride phases, Fe3O4 phase also is generated. Moreover, EIS studies indicated that the corrosion resistance of the samples processed with higher water contents is less than the samples processed with lower water contents.

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Correspondence to S. M. Mousavi Khoie.

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Tavakoli, H., Mousavi Khoie, S.M., Marashi, S.P.H. et al. Effect of Electrolyte Composition on Characteristics of Plasma Electrolysis Nitrocarburizing. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 22, 2351–2358 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-013-0505-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-013-0505-3

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