Duplex surface layer treatment of Al alloy: electron beam alloying and plasma nitriding

Abstract

Al alloys offer a high potential as lightweight construction materials due to their low density, specific strength and processing properties. However, the field of application is limited by their low hardness and poor wear properties. Duplex surface treatment combining electron beam (EB) alloying and plasma nitriding offers one possibility to produce hard and wear resistant surface layers on Al alloys. The EB alloyed surface layer acts as supporting layer for the hard AlN coating so that the load bearing capacity can be enhanced. In the present study duplex treatment of Al-5083 (AlMg4·5Mn0·7) Al alloy has been investigated. Before the EB treatment alloying material deposition was carried out by atmospherically plasma spraying. Various sandwich layers based on Al and Fe respectively, have been applied. Different beam deflection techniques have been tested and their effect on surface deformation, microstructure and hardness was evaluated. Plasma nitriding was carried out in order to evaluate the nitriding behaviour of the surfaces modified by EB. Applying the EB meander technique results in smooth surfaces, good microstructural connection to the matrix material and a homogeneous distribution of the alloying elements together with an increase in hardness of ～300 HV0·1. Plasma nitriding leads to the formation of AlN layers of ～5 μm thickness.