Efeitos do tratamento duplex invertido e simultâneo nas propriedades tribológicas do aço AISI 1045

Abstract

Surface modification processes play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of metallic components across various industrial applications. Thermochemical treatments, such as plasma nitriding, and coating deposition techniques, like the cathodic cage, are widely employed to improve the hardness, wear resistance, and surface stability of steels. Among these approaches, duplex treatments—combining different processes either sequentially or simultaneously—have gained prominence for providing optimized material properties. This study investigated the effects of duplex and simultaneous duplex treatments on the tribological behavior and surface stability of AISI 1045 steel. Plasma nitriding and titanium cathodic cage deposition were applied at temperatures of 350°C and 400°C. The main objective was to compare the improvements in surface hardness, adhesion, and roughness between the inverted duplex and simultaneous duplex treatments, aiming to determine the most efficient approach for industrial use. Characterization of the samples was carried out using Vickers microhardness testing, optical microscopy, Rockwell C adhesion analysis, and surface roughness measurements. The results showed that all treated samples exhibited a significant increase in hardness compared to the untreated material. The simultaneous duplex treatment at 400°C achieved the highest hardness value (668.03 HV), while the inverted duplex treatment produced more uniform layers and lower roughness, indicating better control of the deposition process. Overall, both treatments effectively enhanced the properties of AISI 1045 steel; however, the simultaneous duplex treatment proved more advantageous by combining high hardness, good adhesion, and smoother surface finish—making it a promising option for applications requiring improved wear resistance and surface quality.