Medium Carbon Steel Surface Hardening by Vacuum Arc Cleaning of Oxide Layers

Abstract

In vacuum arc cleaning (VAC) treatment of an oxide layer on a metal surface, the oxide layer is removed evaporatively by movement of high-energy-density cathode spots on it. The action of the cathode spots not only quickly removes the oxide layer on the metal surface; it also causes a rapid temperature variation on the metal surface, which might indicate a change in surface physical features and impart new additional functions. Changes of metal surfaces that had undergone VAC treatment for the oxide layer are investigated using S45C plate. A simple model is suggested and the experiment result is analyzed theoretically.