Experimental Assessment of the Depth of the Deformed Layer in the Roller Burnishing Process

This paper presents the methods of experimental determining the depth of the plastically deformed top layer in the roller burnishing process. Precise determination of the depth of the plastically deformed layer is difficult due to slight deformation at the boundary of the plastic and elastic zone, the lack of visible changes in the microstructure, and minimal changes in microhardness. The article shows the method of original measurement method that consists in determining the thickness of the deformed layer using rings. The method involves the profilographometric measurements of the disconnected rings (samples) which are flat-faced in the package on the mandrel. The rings material deforms plastically in the surface layer causing wrapping of the end face of the ring in the direction of the rolling tool movement. After dismantling the ring pack, measurements were made on the face of each ring along radial directions, and the thickness of the deformed layer was observed on the microscope. The method was verified by microhardness measurements in the cross-section and cross-section of the ring. The results of deformation depth measurements were verified by fmite-element-based numerical simulation.