The Effect of Compression Plasma Fluxes on the Structure, Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Silicon Electrical Steel

The influence of compressive plasma flows on the structure, mechanical and corrosion properties of silicon containing anisotropic electrical steel with a silicon content of 6.67 at % was investigated. Specimens were treated at a pressure of 400 Pa in a nitrogen atmosphere by 1, 3 and 6 successive plasma pulses, providing an absorbed energy density of 35 J/cm2. Using scanning electron microscopy, carbon enriched craters were observed on the modified target surface; their size depended on the number of pulses. X-ray structural analysis showed that the rapid cooling of the modified steel layer leads to a slight increase in lattice parameter, dislocation density and microhardness. It was found that, as a result of the formation of an inhomogeneous fused surface on samples treated with compressive plasma flows, the coefficient of friction increases, while their corrosion resistance and microhardness are enhanced due to the formation of a homogeneous remelted layer.