Evaluationofsurfacedecarburizationdepthbymagnetic.PDFVIP

O. Stupakov , O. Perevertov , I. Tom´aˇs , B. Skrbek Industrially unfavorable process of steel surface decarburization was induced by annealing in air. Two methods of after-anneal surface treatment were used: an acid pickling and a sand blasting. The obtained decarburized lay- ers were examined by optical microscope, wave dispersive spectrometer, and surface X-ray diffraction method. Magnetic Barkhausen noise technique was tested for applicability of non-destructive characterization of the decarbur- ized layer depth. A newly introduced parameter, Barkhausen noise coercivity, was proposed for practical use due to its sensitivity to decarburization and stability to measurement conditions. Other magnetic parameters, e.g. num- ber of Barkhausen noise counts, were found to be sensitive to the compressive residual stress caused by the sand blasting. Barkhausen noise, steel surface decarburization, residual stress, magnetic non-destructive testing Corresponding author. Tel: +420-26605-2617; fax: +420-28689-0527. (O. Stupakov) (O. Stupakov) Fatigue life time of industrial constructions is mostly defined by their surface conditions. Therefore, there are different technological processes spe- cially developed to increase the surface strength of such structures (surface hardening, nitration, strengthening, etc) [1, 2]. The considered effect of de- carburization is an opposite unfavorable process of surface softening, when the carbon is diffused from the depth of the material. Any process of high temperature treatment of steel and cast iron semi-products without protec- tive atmosphe