Efficiency of processes for increasing surface quality in control led pulse modes of electrolyte-plasma treatment

To increase the efficiency of electrolyte-plasma treatment, modes based on the use of controlled pulses have been developed. The modes are implemented by alternating high-voltage pulses corresponding to the electrolytic-plasma area and current-free pauses between them. An increase in the efficiency of pulse modes compared to traditional direct current electrolyte-plasma treatment is achieved by intensive metal removal during the electrochemical process occurring at the initial moment of switching on the high-voltage pulse (at the stage of forming the vapor-gas shell) and optimization of the duration of the electrolyte-plasma process, which ensures high surface quality. Based on the results of studying the influence of time parameters of controlled pulses on metal removal and the quality of the formed surface, modes have been established that ensure high efficiency of roughness reduction at low energy costs. The use of a scheme in which controlled high-voltage pulses with a duration of 2–5 ms and an amplitude corresponding to the electrolytic-plasma area (300 V) alternate with current-free pauses of 50 μs duration provides a significant increase in the intensity of roughness reduction compared to direct current treatment. As a result, for a roughness reduction by an amount equivalent to DC treatment with a duration of 5 min, the total energy costs are reduced by 28–32 %. Based on the results obtained, energy-efficient pulsed electrolytic-plasma treatment processes have been developed and implemented into production to improve the surface quality and shaping of medical and engineering products made from metallic materials.