Improving the corrosion resistance of low-alloy structural steels by pulsed plasma treatmen

In this scientific paper, the effect of pulsed plasma treatment on the corrosion properties of structural steels (St45, 40X, 65G, SHX15) is researched. Irradiation of samples with helium and nitrogen plasma was carried out on a quasi-stationary plasma accelerator under various modes accompanied by surface melting. Corrosion resistance tests were implemented by constant immersion in a 5% NaCl solution for 7 days, control weighing was performed once every 24 hours. It is known that the corrosion properties are influenced by the surface condition: roughness, microhardness and the structure of the surface layer. During pulsed plasma processing, a strong change in these characteristics, especially roughness, is possible. In view of this, micrographs of the relief of the treated surface were additionally obtained. It was found that all steel grades are characterized by an improvement in corrosion properties, but with varying degrees of efficiency.