Influence of Electrochemical Nickelizing on the Structure, Composition, and Heat Resistance of AISI 1045 after Chromoaluminizing

Authors T. Loskutova1,2, Ya. Kononenko1, N. Kharchenko3 , O. Umanskyi4, D. Vedel4, T. Hovorun3
Affiliations

1National Technical University of Ukraine “I. Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, 03056 Kyiv, Ukraine

2Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany

3Sumy State University, 40007 Sumy, Ukraine

4Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Materials Science, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, 03142 Kyiv, Ukraine

Е-mail hovorun@pmtkm.sumdu.edu.ua
Issue Volume 17, Year 2025, Number 1
Dates Received 10 January 2025; revised manuscript received 15 February 2025; published online 27 February 2025
Citation T. Loskutova, Ya. Kononenko, N. Kharchenko, et al., J. Nano- Electron. Phys. 17 No 1, 01024 (2025)
DOI https://doi.org/10.21272/jnep.17(1).01024
PACS Number(s) 81.10. – h, 81.10.Dn, 61.43.Bn, 61.50.Ks, 81.30.Hd
Keywords Coating (35) , Complex diffusion saturation, Oxide (60) .
Annotation

The processes of forming diffusion coatings on AISI 1045 steel were studied after two saturation methods: diffusion chromoaluminizing and a complex two-stage treatment (electrochemical nickel plating followed by diffusion chromoaluminizing). Nickel plating was performed in nickel sulfate-based electrolytes at a temperature of 40 °C and a current density of 3 A/dm2. Complex chromoaluminizing was conducted using a powder method at 1050 °C for 4 hours. It was found that diffusion coatings with a total thickness of 20.5 μm to 23.0 μm were formed on the surface, along with a transition zone based on the α-Fe solid solution with a thickness of up to 55 μm. Micro-X-ray spectral analysis revealed the presence of chromium nitride Cr2N, as well as zones with Cr2Al phases and a solid solution of chromium and aluminum. The obtained coating consists of four distinct zones, and the surface layer's microhardness was in the range of 16.0 to 16.2 GPa. Diffusion chromoaluminizing of steel 45 samples with a nickel-based layer 20 μm thick was carried out at 1050 °C for 4 hours. The complex two-stage treatment resulted in the formation of a coating with a thickness of 35 to 45 μm. It was demonstrated that the formation of protective coatings significantly improves the oxidation resistance of steel 45 due to the development of a dense oxide film. The structure of oxide inclusions, which contain chromium, aluminum, and iron forming spinel phases, was identified. The two-stage process with preliminary nickel plating ensured a uniform distribution of heterogeneous layers without delamination. Additionally, preliminary nickel plating altered the oxidation mechanism and allowed for coatings with increased plasticity.

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