This study deals with the influence of plasma surface treatment using DCSBD plasma (diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge) on tribological and surface properties of medium alloyed structural steel 34CrNiMo6. The aim of the research was to evaluate the changes in hardness, roughness, surface cleanliness, surface energy and wear after plasma modification. Four steel samples were prepared and exposed to plasma for 2, 4, 8 and 16 seconds at a constant power of 350 W. Surface cleanliness was evaluated using fluorescence detection, while surface energy was determined by measuring contact angles using the Fowkes method. Hardness and roughness were determined using a microhardness tester and a confocal microscope. Tribological properties were evaluated by scratch test and friction coefficient measurement. The results showed that an extended plasma treatment time led to an increase in surface energy, hardness and surface cleanliness, while at the same time reducing wear. The most significant positive effects were observed for the sample plasma-treated for 16 seconds. Plasma treatment thus proves to be an effective tool for improving the adhesion and tribological properties of metal surfaces.

Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the Contract no. VV-MVP-24-0143.