Plasma electrolytic hardening of steels: Review

Abstract

Research data on plasma electrolytic hardening of steels in aqueous solutions are analysed with an emphasis on the features of the hardened layer formation and the processing conditions, as well as on electrolyte compositions providing new technological opportunities. The influence of the treatment regimes on the temperature and heating rate of cylindrical samples are described. The methods of hardening under different hydrodynamic conditions using direct current and pulsed current, including thermal cycling, are considered. Examples of practical applications of plasma electrolytic hardening of steels are presented.