EFFECT OF NITROGEN AMOUNT ON TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF PLASMA NITRIDED 31CrMoV9 STEEL

The 31CrMoV9 steels were plasma nitrided under different gas mixture ratios to investigate an influence of nitrogen amount on wear behavior. The structure, mechanical and tribological behavior of untreated and nitrided 31CrMoV9 steels were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), microhardness device, 3D profilometer and pin-on-disk wear tester. The analysis outcomes displayed that the compound layer consists of nitride phases (Fe2N, Fe3N, Fe4N and CrN). Additionally, the thickness of the compound layers, surface hardness and roughness increased with increasing nitrogen amount in the gas mixture. The highest friction coefficient value was obtained at nitrogen amount of 50%, but the lowest value was seen at nitrogen amount of 6%. It was observed that wear resistance of 31CrMoV9 steel improved after plasma nitriding, and the best wear resistance was also obtained from plasma nitrided sample at the gas mixture of 94% H-2 + 6% N-2.