Reducing wear of high-speed steel cutting tools by spark hardening

"Spark hardening" is a process by which a wear-resistant material is deposited on the surface of steel components and cutting tools by the action of electric sparks. The deposited material forms a fused hardened skin. The wear resistance of high-speed steel cutting tools can be improved by this process and an increase in tool life of about four times has been obtained. The performance of the tools depends on the spark energy and the specific time of treatment. © 1970.