METALLOGRAPHIC STUDY OF CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF A DEFORMED METAL LAYER DURING WATER-PULSE SMOOTHING

When materials are processed under static or impact loads, a tool imprint is first formed, which is later transformed into a series of interlocking marks. When a hard ball is pressed into a material, the initial elastic deformation turns into plastic deformation as the load increases. Plastic deformations propagate, leaving an imprint whose size depends on the properties of the material being processed. The microhardness of a material is an important indicator of its resistance to indentation; higher values reduce the size of the imprints and the depth of deformation, increasing the durability of the material. The depth of the rivet, which depends on the depth of the print, is determined by a coefficient that varies depending on the processing conditions. The diameters of the imprints and the load on the ball are described by the Hertz and Meyer equations, which help to assess the nature of deformations in the elastic and plastic regions. Machining processes that are affected by friction and material anisotropy are more complex, so the proposed equations are of limited use. Plastic deformation indicates the degree of hardening of the material, which varies depending on the structural components of the metal. In particular, martensitic steels exhibit a higher pitting depth compared to sorbitol. Strain hardening goes through three stages: initiation of dislocations, their interaction and accumulation, and intensive displacement of dislocations. These stages are interrelated and affect the overall mechanical properties of metals. Grain boundary displacements play an important role during deformation at high temperatures, which can change the mechanical properties of the material. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of understanding the microstructural changes induced by plastic deformation during surface treatment processes. By analyzing the interaction of elastic and plastic deformation, strain hardening mechanisms, and the effects of dislocation accumulation, the research provides insights into optimizing the mechanical properties of metals. These findings are essential for improving the durability, wear resistance, and strength of machined components, contributing to the development of more efficient and reliable surface treatment technologies.