This study analyses the effect of electrolytic plasma treatment on improving the wear resistance of 30CrMnSi steel used under conditions of high abrasive and impact-abrasive loads. The samples were processed using various technological regimes, namely electrolytic plasma quenching, nitriding, nitrocarburising, and carburising. A range of analytical methods were employed to comprehensively characterise the structure, phase composition, and mechanical properties, including SEM/EDS, XRD, and microhardness testing. The tribological properties of the materials were evaluated using a TRB3 tribometer, and abrasive and impact-abrasive wear tests were performed in accordance with GOST 23.208–79 and GOST 23.207–79 standards. The results show that electrolytic plasma treatment leads to the formation of diffusion layers with a thickness of 50–150 μm, accompanied by the formation of carbide, nitride, and carbonitride phases (Fe4C, Fe7C3, Fe4N, Fe2N, Fe3(CN)). This process results in a significant increase in surface hardness (up to 610–930 HV) and improved wear resistance. The study indicates that electrolytic plasma nitrocarburising provides a favourable combination of hardness and tribological behaviour, leading to a low friction coefficient (0.25–0.35) and enhanced resistance to abrasive and impact-abrasive wear. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of this technology for improving the performance of components made of 30CrMnSi steel operating under severe wear conditions.
Kengesbekov et al. (Sun,) studied this question.