Influence of liquid nitriding on the properties of the electric steel 10

Liquid nitriding (carbonitriding) effect on hardness, wear resistance and magnetic properties of electric steel grade 10 is reviewed here, as well as on the electric contact resistance. It was found that hot-rolled steel 10 loses its hardness as a result of annealing. Surface carbonitriding of specimens generates an improved layer of higher hardness, high wear resistance and increased electrical resistance. The specimens carbonitrided have contact electric resistance higher than that of hot-rolled specimens after descaling. The magnetic permeability of 'grade 10' steel does not practically change after annealing and carbonitriding, while the magnetic permeability corresponds to the magnetic field strength in a very typical way with typical parameters for carbon steels. Traditional methods of processing electrical steels, carried out in order to achieve such a complex effect, combine heterogeneous processes, such as electroplating, vacuum, plasma, high - temperature annealing, coating-are very expensive and difficult to implement. Carbonitration is more accessible for practical use and has a significantly lower cost. The results obtained can be used in the design of magnetic circuits for various electric devices. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd