Plasma paste boronizing of AISI 8620, 52100 and 440C steels

In the present study, AISI 8620, 52100 and 440C steels were plasma paste boronized (PPB) by using 100% borax paste. PPB process was carried out in a dc plasma system at temperature of 700 and 800 °C for 3 and 5 h in a gas mixture of 70%H₂–30%Ar under a constant pressure of 4 mbar. The properties of boride layer were evaluated by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Vickers micro-hardness tester. X-ray diffraction analysis of boride layers on the surface of the steels revealed FeB and Fe₂B phases for 52100 and 8620 steels and FeB, Fe₂B, CrB and Cr₂B borides for 440C steel. PPB process showed that since the plasma activated the chemical reaction more, a thicker boride layer was formed than conventional boronizing methods at similar temperatures. It was possible to establish boride layer with the same thickness at lower temperatures in plasma environment by using borax paste.     

Niobium boride coating on AISI M2 steel by boro-niobizing treatment

In this study, niobium boride coating was applied on pre-boronized AISI M2 steel by the thermo-reactive deposition technique in a powder mixture consisting of ferro-niobium, ammonium chloride and alumina at 950 °C for 1-4 h. The coated samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and micro-hardness tests. Niobium boride layer formed on the pre-boronized AISI M2 steel was smooth, compact and homogeneous. X-ray studies showed that the phases formed on the steel surfaces are NbB, Nb₃B₂, FeB and Fe₂B. The depth of the niobium boride layer ranged from 0.97 μm to 3.25 μm, depending on treatment time. The higher the treatment time the thicker the niobium boride layer observed. The hardness of the niobium boride layer was 2738 ± 353 HV_0.01.     

Characterization of borided Incoloy 825 alloy

Incoloy 825 alloy is an alloy with high corrosion resistance but it has low strength and hardness. Increasing of hardness of the alloy is important for its wear resistance. In this study, Incoloy 825 alloy was boronized to increase its hardness. The boronizing process was carried out using the box boronizing method at 900 and 950 °C for 2, 4 and 6 h. The coating thickness that occurred by boronizing increased with the increase in temperature and time. The thickness of boride layers depending on temperature and process time was ranged from 35 to 170 μm. The presence of borides (e.g., FeB, Fe₂B, CrB, NiB) was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis technique. The boron compounds have shown the random distribution. The microhardness has decreased along the coating thickness (towards to the matrix).     

A comparative study of borided pure niobium, tungsten and chromium

Pure niobium (Nb), tungsten (W) and chromium (Cr) were boronized at 940 °C for 2, 4 and 8 h. The borided samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscope and microhardness tests. Tribological investigation was conducted. X-ray study showed the presence of NbB₂, WB, and CrB. The hardnesses of boride layers formed on the pure Nb, W and Cr were 2500, 2500 and 1700 HV, respectively, whereas the hardnesses of the pure Nb, pure W and pure Cr were 110, 445 and 115 HV, respectively. Nb boride layers ranged in thickness from 8 to 22 μm, whereas W boride layers ranged in thickness from 10 to 42 μm, and the thickness of Cr boride layer varied from 4 to 12 μm with boronizing time. The boriding of W resulted in thicker boride layer compared to the boriding of Nb and Cr at given time. The frictional behaviour and wear mechanicms differ in modes and scales.     

The effects of boro-tempering heat treatment on microstructural properties of ductile iron

In this study, the effects of boro-tempering heat treatment on microstructural properties of ductile iron were investigated. Test samples with dimensions of 10 × 10 × 55 mm were boronized at 900 °C for 1, 3 and 5 h and then tempered at four different temperatures (250, 300, 350 and 450 °C) for 1 h. Both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to reveal the microstructural details of coating and matrix of boro-tempered ductile iron. X-ray diffraction was used to determine the constituents of the coating layer. The boride layer formed on the surface of boro-tempered ductile cast iron is tooth shape form and consisted of FeB and Fe₂B phases. The thickness of boride layer increases as the boronizing time increases and tempering temperature decreases. Tempering temperature is more effective than boronizing time on the matrix structure. Boro-tempering heat treatment reduces the formation of lower and upper ausferritic matrix temperature according to classical austempering. This causes formation of upper ausferritic matrix in the sample when tempered at 300 °C. This is in contrast to general case which is the formation of lower ausferritic matrix via austempering at this temperature.     

Microstructure analysis of boronized pure nickel using boronizing powders with SiC as diluent

In this study, boronizing of 99.9% pure nickel was performed by means of a powder-pack method using Commercial LSB-II powders (that contained SiC) at 850, 900 and 950 °C for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h, respectively. The coated samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and hardness tests. The presence of boride (Ni₂B) and silicide (Ni₅Si₂, Ni₂Si) phases, formed on the surface of boronized pure nickel, were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The Ni₃Si phase was found when pure nickel was boronized at 850 °C for 2 h. Depending on boronizing time and temperature, the thickness of coating layer ranged from 36 to 237 μm. The hardness values were 832 HV_0.01 for the silicide layer, 984 HV_0.01 for boride layer, and 139 HV_0.01 for the Ni substrate.     

Effect of copper on boride layer of boronized ductile cast irons

GGG-50, GGG-60 and GGG-80 ductile cast irons containing 0.01, 0.3 and 0.98 wt% copper, respectively, were boronized in a salt bath and then analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Increasing copper concentration in ductile cast irons resulted in formation of mono-phase boride layer (Fe₂B), decreased Si-ferrite zone and hindered the growth discontinuous graphite between boride layer and matrix.     

Production and characterization of boride layers on AISI D2 tool steel

AISI D2 is the most commonly used cold-work tool steel of its grade. It offers high hardenability, low distortion after quenching, high resistance to softening and good wear resistance. The use of appropriate hard coatings on this steel can further improve its wear resistance. Boronizing is a surface treatment of Boron diffusion into the substrate. In this work boride layers were formed on AISI D2 steel using borax baths containing iron-titanium and aluminium, at 800 °C and 1000 °C during 4 h. The borided treated steel was characterized by optical microscopy, Vickers microhardness, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and glow discharge optical spectroscopy (GDOS) to verify the effect of the bath compositions and treatment temperatures in the layer formation. Depending on the bath composition, Fe₂B or FeB was the predominant phase in the boride layers. The layers exhibited “saw-tooth” morphology at the substrate interface; layer thicknesses varied from 60 to 120 μm, and hardness in the range of 1596-1744 HV were obtained.     

Investigation of the effect of boronizing on cast irons

Gray iron, ductile iron and compacted graphite iron were boronized with solid boron-yielding substances by box-boronizing method. Commercial EKabor^® 3 powder is used as the boronizing agent and the treatments are carried out at 850, 900 and 950°C for 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h. Thickness and microhardness of the boride layer, and the microstructure of the boronized specimens are reported.     

The growth kinetics of borides formed on boronized AISI 4140 steel

The growth kinetics of boride layer on boronized AISI 4140 steel is reported. Steel samples were boronized in molten borax, boric acid and ferro-silicon bath at 1123, 1173 and 1223 K for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h, respectively. The morphology and types of borides formed on the surface of AISI 4140 steel substrate were analyzed by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The boride layer thickness ranged from 38.4 to 225 μm. Iso-thickness diagrams for pre-determined thickness according to treatment time and temperature, were graphed by MATLAB 6.0 software. The hardness of borides formed on the samples changed between 1446 and 1739 HV_0.1, according to treatment time and temperature. Layer growth kinetics way analyzed by measuring the extent of penetration of FeB and Fe₂B sublayers as a function of treatment time and temperature in the range of 1123-1223 K. For practical use, an iso hardness diagram was established as a function of treatment time, temperature and boride layer thickness. The depth of the tips of the most deeply penetrated FeB and Fe₂B needles were taken as measures for diffusion in the growth directions. The kinetics of the reaction, were also determined by varying the treatment temperature and time. The results show that K increased with boronizing temperature. The activation energy (Q) was formed to be 215 kJ mol⁻¹. The growth rate constant (K) ranged from 3×10⁻⁹ to 2×10⁻⁸ cm²s⁻¹.     

Diffusion kinetics of borided AISI 52100 and AISI 440C steels

In this study, the case properties and diffusion kinetics of AISI 440C and AISI 52100 steels borided in Ekabor-II powder were investigated by conducting a series of experiments at temperatures of 1123, 1173 and 1223 K for 2, 4 and 8 h.The boride layer was characterized by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction technique and micro-Vickers hardness tester. X-ray diffraction analysis of boride layers on the surface of the steels revealed the existence of FeB, Fe₂B and CrB compounds.The thickness of boride layer increases by increasing boriding time and temperature for all steels. The hardness of the boride compounds formed on the surface of steels AISI 52100 and AISI 440C ranged from 1530 to 2170 HV_0.05 and 1620 to 1989 HV_0.05, respectively whereas Vickers hardness values of untreated steels AISI 440C and AISI 52100 were 400 HV_0.05 and 311 HV_0.05, respectively. The activation energies (Q) of borided steels were 340.426 kJ/mol for AISI 440C and 269.638 kJ/mol for AISI 52100. The growth kinetics of the boride layers forming on the AISI 440C and AISI 52100 steels and thickness of boride layers were also investigated.     

Electrochemical boriding and characterization of AISI D2 tool steel

D2 is an air-hardening tool steel and due to its high chromium content provides very good protection against wear and oxidation, especially at elevated temperatures. Boriding of D2 steel can further enhance its surface mechanical and tribological properties. Unfortunately, it has been very difficult to achieve a very dense and uniformly thick boride layers on D2 steel using traditional boriding processes. In an attempt to overcome such a deficiency, we explored the suitability and potential usefulness of electrochemical boriding for achieving thick and hard boride layers on this tool steel in a molten borax electrolyte at 850, 900, 950 and 1000 °C for durations ranging from 15 min to 1 h. The microstructural characterization and phase analysis of the resultant boride layers were performed using optical, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. Our studies have confirmed that a single phase Fe₂B layer or a composite layer consisting of FeB + Fe₂B is feasible on the surface of D2 steel depending on the length of boriding time. The boride layers formed after shorter durations (i.e., 15 min) mainly consisted of Fe₂B phase and was about 30 μm thick. The thickness of the layer formed in 60 min was about 60 μm and composed mainly of FeB and Fe₂B. The cross sectional micro-hardness values of the boride layers varied between 14 and 22 GPa, depending on the phase composition.     

Optimization of process parameters of boro-carburized low carbon steel for tensile strength by Taquchi method with grey relational analysis

The results of study on the boro-carburizing and boronizing of AISI 1015 steel on tensile strength was carried out by Taquchi-grey relational method. The orthogonal array L₉(3⁴) was used to conduct the experiment. The thickness of boride layer increased with increase in process temperature and time. The thickness of boride layers for boronized AISI 1015 steel was more than the pre-carburized and boronized AISI 1015 steel. The microhardness decreased with increase in distance from the surface to the core. However, the hardness gradient reduced gradually from the surface to the core in case of boro-carburized treatments compared to boronized treatments. The optimal process parameters and their levels for pre-carburized AISI 1015 steel are carbon content 0.45% at 950 °C temperature and 4 h process duration. The results revealed that process time, case carbon content and process temperature influenced the yield strength and % elongation. The ultimate strength is influenced by the process temperature, process time and carbon content. The process temperature was the most influential control factor that affects the tensile strength properties.     

Some properties of boronized layers on steels with direct diode laser

Boronized layer on steel is known to be formed by thermal diffusion of boron into the surface of steel improving corrosion-erosion resistant properties. Boronizing is carried out at temperatures ranging from 800 °C to 1050 °C and takes from one to several hours. There is one problem in this process, however, that the structure and properties of the base material are influenced considerably by the high temperature and long time of treatment. In order to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks of pack boronizing and laser-assisted boronizing, a better way is to activate the pack boronizing media and the workpiece with a high density power. The laser boronizing processes do not change the properties of the base material. In this study, the effect of laser characteristics was examined on the laser boronizing of carbon steel. After laser boronizing, the microstructure of the boride layer was analysed with an optical microscope and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The mechanical properties of borided layer are evaluated using Vickers hardness tester and sand erosion tester. Results showed that the boride layer was composed of FeB and Fe₂B with thickness ranging 200-300 μm. The laser boronizing process did not change the properties of the base material.     

L415/IN825复合板焊接接头渗硼处理工艺及渗层的组织与性能

目前对双金属复合板焊接接头的渗硼处理鲜有研究报道。为了提高双金属复合板焊接接头的耐蚀和耐磨性能,对其表面进行渗硼处理。采用光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)及显微硬度计分别对L415/IN825复合板复层焊接接头渗层的微观组织、物相组成及显微硬度进行了分析,并研究了复合板焊接接头及其渗层电化学腐蚀性能。结果表明:复合板焊接接头复层渗层分为硼化物层(Ni_2B、Cr_5B_3、Cr_2B和CrB)和硅化物层(Ni_2Si、Cr_3Ni_2Si和Cr_(13)Ni_5Si_2),全渗层的厚度随着加热温度和保温时间的增加而增加;不同区域渗层表面的显微硬度值均高于基体;复合板焊接接头基体耐蚀性能优于焊接接头表面渗层。     

An investigation on boriding kinetics of AISI 316 stainless steel

Boronizing was performed by using a solid medium of Ekabor powders at 1073, 1148 and 1223 K for 2, 4 and 8 h. After boronizing, the major dominant phase was found to be Fe₂B and the minors were CrB and Ni₂B. Boride coating resulted in smooth and dense feature confirmed by optical and SEM. The thickness of boride layer varied from 7 to 87 μm depending on the process time and temperature. Boride layer has a hardness of over 1700 HVN, while the substrate's hardness was about 180 HVN. The growth kinetics of boride layer was found to obey a parabolic rate demonstrating a solid diffusion limited process. The kinetic rates for different process times were plotted by using Arrhenius equation. From this measurement, the activation energy of boride growth for this study was determined as 199 kJ/mol. In addition, the possibility of predicting the iso-thickness of boride layer variation was studied and an empirical relationship between process parameters and boride layer thickness was established. EDS studies showed that Cr concentrated in the coating layer and Ni and Fe concentrated in the substrate.     

Mössbauer and metallographic analysis of borided surface layers on Armco iron

Armco iron samples boronized at 850 and 1000° C in crystalline boron powder have been studied. Scattering and transmission Mössbauer measurements, supported by optical and electron scanning metallography and by X-ray diffraction analysis, enabled the surface phases to be identified, the multi-layer structure of the coatings to be defined and the average thickness of each layer to be measured. In addition to an inner Fe₂B layer and to an intermediate FeB layer, the presence of an outer layer of a third phase richer in boron that FeB has been ascertained in the boride coatings. The morphology of the reaction products and their mechanical consistency have also been examined and discussed.     

Microstructure and Tribological Properties of Plasma Nitriding Cast CoCrMo Alloy

A medical cast CoCrMo alloy was coated by plasma nitriding process to enhance the wear resistance.The microstructures,phases and micro-hardness of nitrided layers were investigated by atomic force microscopy(AFM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD) and micro-hardness.Tribological properties were investigated on a pin-on-disc wear tester under 25% bovine serum solutions.The experimental results showed that plasma nitriding was a promising process to produce thick,hard and wear resistant layers on the surface of CoCrMo alloy.The harder CrN and Cr2N phases formed on the plasma nitrided layer with the compact nano-crystalline structure.Compared with the untreated sample,all nitrided samples showed the lower wear rates and higher wear resistance at different applied loads and nitriding temperatures.It was concluded that the improvement of wear resistance could be ascribed to the formation of thicker and harder nitrided layers with the specific microstructures on nitrided surfaces.     

Ultra-fast boriding of nickel aluminide

In this study, we explored the possibility of ultra-fast electrochemical boriding of nickel aluminide (Ni₃Al) in a molten borax electrolyte. Electrochemical boriding was performed at 950 °C for 15 min and at current densities ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 A/cm². The boride layers formed on the test samples were 50 to 260 μm thick depending on the current density. The mechanical, structural, and chemical characterization of the boride layers was carried out using a Vickers micro-hardness test machine, optical and scanning electron microscopes, and a thin film X-ray diffractometer. The hardness of boride layer was in the range from 800 to 1200 ± 50 HV depending on the load and the region from which the hardness measurements were taken. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that the boride layers were primarily composed of Ni₃B, Ni₄B₃ and Ni₂₀AlB₁₄ phases. Structurally, the boride layer was very homogenous and uniformly thick across the borided surface area.     

Growth kinetics and abrasive wear resistance of boride layers on Fe–15Cr alloy

Abstract

Two boride layers based on the FeB and Fe₂B compounds are formed at the interface between an Fe–15Cr alloy and boron at 850–950°C and reaction times up to 12 h, with the average chromium content being around 8 at-% in the former and 12 at-% in the latter. Both boride layers reveal a pronounced texture. Diffusional growth kinetics of the layers are close to parabolic and can alternatively be described by a system of two non-linear differential equations. Microhardness values are 17·4 GPa for the FeB layer, 14·4 GPa for the Fe₂B layer and 0·95 GPa for the Fe–15Cr alloy base. The dry abrasive wear resistance of borided alloy samples is around 45 times greater than that of non-borided ones.