The effect of structure and thickness of the surface layer on the pattern of wear and development of plastic deformation of the specimens of structural steel with a hardening composite coating

Process of plastic deformation have been studied at meso- and macroscale levels during friction of structural steel with composite hardening layers. It is shown that the pattern of plastic deformation at the mesoscale level in the compositions with coatings is characterized by a number of significant features relating to the appearance of the hierarchy of stress concentrators as two interfaces, 'counterbody-coating' and 'coating-base'. Examination of images with an optic TV measuring TOMSC complex has enabled to establish that transverse shear components resulting from the relaxation of stress mesoconcentrators at the 'counterbody-coating' interface produce periodic alternation of tension and compression zones. It dictates transverse redistribution of solid particles in the fine surface layer and appearance of a 'lineage structure' in it.