Effects of high thermal loads produced by interaction of accelerated plasma with steel surfaces (100Cr6, 16MnCr5, 42CrMo4)

Abstract Magnetoplasma compressor (MPC), a type of plasma accelerators, is used for treatment and alloying of steel samples: steel 100Cr6, steel 16MnCr5 and steel 42CrMo4. The high-speed plasma flow formed within the MPC, from helium with 5% of hydrogen as working gas, is directed to the surface of the samples. The energy flux density of the plasma flow in the plasma-sample interaction area is 9 J c m 2 . Plasma melts the near-surface layer and during the rapid cooling process, a thin layer with structure different from initial is created. Changes in the physical composition of the substrate are monitored depending on the number of plasma treatments. After treatment with a plasma produced within MPC, a significant improvement of hardness has been achieved.