Study of the Selective Laser Sintering Method for Strengthening Soil-Processing Working Bodies

One technology for enhancing the lifespan of working parts involves applying a hardening layer made of a material more resistant to wear. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the selective laser sintering (SLS) method in hardening soil-processing working parts. As a comparison, the plasma-powder surfacing method is considered. The research is conducted using a circular soil bench, which consists of a rotating rotor inside a cylinder filled with an abrasive medium for rapid surface wear, with sample holders attached to the rotor. Four experimental samples made of steel 30KhGSА are studied. The dimensions of the hardening layer are determined through calculation. After that, the layer is applied using the Р6М5 metal powder brand via the SLS method to two samples: one is hardened before heat treatment and the other after. Similarly, two samples were made using the FBKh-6-2 powder through the plasma-powder surfacing method. The duration of the bench tests is 152 h. The linear wear of the samples hardened by the SLS method before heat treatment is 1.3 mm and, after heat treatment, 0.83 mm; with the plasma method, these values are 1.1 and 1.2 mm, respectively. The highest hardness values in the experiment are recorded in the hardening layer zone when using the SLS method: 65 HRC for the sample hardened before heat treatment and 73 HRC for the sample after heat treatment. The plasma method shows significant differences in hardness near the hardening layer: 45 HRC before heat treatment and 35 HRC after. The use of the selective laser sintering method to harden the cutting edge of the experimental samples results in a 32% decrease in metal powder consumption compared to the plasma method, a 26% increase in wear resistance based on calculated data, and a 24% increase in wear resistance on the circular soil bench.