Feasibility of surface carbidization of refractory metals by electric-spark alloying

Conclusions A study was made of the conditions of formation of alloyed layers during the ESA of transition metals with graphite. Negative cathode weight gains were observed together with the formation on the metal specimen surfaces of 5– to 15-m-thick layers with a changed structure, consisting of carbides and oxides of the metals and of the basis material. Carbidization during ESA with graphite was found to be intensified for Group IV metals under soft conditions (process No. 2) and for Groups V and VI metals, under hard conditions (processes Nos. 3 and 6).Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 6(222), pp. 42–47, June, 1981.