Boriding kinetics of H13 steel

It is known that boriding has been employed to increase the service life of parts such as orifices; ingot molds, and dies for hot forming made of AISI H13 steel. In this study, case properties and kinetics of borided AISI H13 steel have been investigated by conducting a series of experiments in Ekabor-I powders at the process temperature of 1073, 1173 and 1273 K for periods of 1-5 h. The presence of borides FeB and Fe₂B of steel substrate was confirmed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of this study indicated that the morphology of the boride layer has a smooth and compact morphology, and its hardness was found to be in the range of 1650-2000 HV. Transition zone observed between the hard boride coating and the matrix was relatively softer than the substrate. The kinetics of boriding shows a parabolic relationship between layer thickness and process time, and the calculated activation energy for the process is 186.2 kJ/mol. Moreover, boriding parameter BOP, which is only a function of boride layer thickness and activation energy, has been suggested for the prediction of layer thickness in boriding of AISI H13. There is a reasonable correlation between the progress of boride layer thickness and proposed time-temperature-compensated parameter. Similar findings have been found when it is applied to another steels including tool and low alloy steels, as well as Armco iron.     

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.     

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.     

Tribological properties of oxidised boride coatings grown on AISI 4140 steel

In this study, we investigated the wear behaviour of borided and borided + short-duration oxidized AISI 4140 steel. Boronizing was carried out in a slurry salt bath consisting of borax, boric acid and ferro silicon. Also, short-duration oxidizing treatment was applied to borided steel to produce glass-like boron oxide layer. The short-duration oxidizing was performed at 750 °C for 3 min. Optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) cross-sectional examinations of borided layer revealed a needle-shaped morphology. The presence of non-oxide boride type ceramics FeB and Fe₂B formed on the surface of steel substrate was confirmed by classical metallographic technique and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The hardness of borides formed on the surface of steel substrate and unborided steel substrate were 1446–1690 HV_0.1 and 280 HV_0.1, respectively. The wear behaviour of borided steel were characterised by using a pin-on-disc technique. The borided and short-duration oxidized steels, in the form of pins were allowed to slide against a hard AISI 440C stainless steel disc (63 HRc). The sliding velocity of 1 m s^− 1 for borided and short-duration oxidized steel and the nominal load on the pin was 20 N. The highest wear rates were observed on disc slide against the base steel, whilst the lowest wear rates occurred during sliding against the borided and short-duration oxidized steel surfaces. It was observed that the friction coefficient of unborided (hardened + tempered) and borided steels ranged from 0.50 to 0.60, but after short-duration oxidizing, the friction coefficient of borided steel was dropped to 0.12.     

Kinetics of borided AISI M2 high speed steel

The present study reports on kinetics of borided AISI M2 high speed steel. Boronizing thermochemical treatment was carried out in a solid medium consisting of EKabor powders at 850 °C, 900 °C and 950 °C for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h, respectively. The presence of borides FeB and Fe₂B of steel substrate was confirmed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of this study indicated that the morphology of the boride layer has a smooth and compact morphology, and its hardness was found to be in the range of 1600–1900 HV. Depending on process time and temperature the thickness of boride layer measured by a digital instrument attached to an optical microscope ranged from 3 to 141 μm. Layer-growth kinetics were analyzed by measuring the extent of penetration of the FeB and Fe₂B sublayers as a function of boronizing time and temperature. The fracture toughness of borides ranged from 4.80 to 5.21 MPa m^1/2. Moreover, an attempt was made to investigate the possibility of predicting the iso-thickness of boride layer variation and to establish an empirical relationship between process parameters and boride layer thickness.     

Kinetics of borided AISI M2 high speed steel

The present study reports on kinetics of borided AISI M2 high speed steel. Boronizing thermochemical treatment was carried out in a solid medium consisting of EKabor powders at 850 °C, 900 °C and 950 °C for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h, respectively. The presence of borides FeB and Fe₂B of steel substrate was confirmed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of this study indicated that the morphology of the boride layer has a smooth and compact morphology, and its hardness was found to be in the range of 1600–1900 HV. Depending on process time and temperature the thickness of boride layer measured by a digital instrument attached to an optical microscope ranged from 3 to 141 μm. Layer-growth kinetics were analyzed by measuring the extent of penetration of the FeB and Fe₂B sublayers as a function of boronizing time and temperature. The fracture toughness of borides ranged from 4.80 to 5.21 MPa m^1/2. Moreover, an attempt was made to investigate the possibility of predicting the iso-thickness of boride layer variation and to establish an empirical relationship between process parameters and boride layer thickness.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Surface composition and near-surface hardness studies on high dose boron-implanted 304 stainless steel

The modification of boron-implanted near surface of 304 stainless steel having strained and strain-free surfaces was studied. The energy of the boron ion was 130 keV at a dose of 2·5×10¹⁷ ions cm⁻². Ion-implantation is known to modify the tribological properties of metals, however, it is not well-understood as to how such a shallow implanted layer can affect the microhardening. A full understanding of the process involved is yet to emerge. In the present work the ion implanted layer was characterized for boron depth profiles using AES and XPS. The implanted layer is observed to contain B₂O₃, Fe₂B, FeB and CrB₂ compounds with small fractions of chromium and iron oxides. The strain-free surface of 304 SS shows an increase in microhardness by ∼ 80% after boron ion implantation at 2 gf and the strained surface by ∼ 30% at the same load. The annealing effects on microhardness for mechanically polished and implanted samples were also investigated in the temperature range 100 to 400°C. The possible correlation of near-surface microhardness increase with boride formation is discussed.     

Structural properties and kinetics of nitro-niobized steels

In the present study, structural characterization and kinetics of nitro-niobized AISI 1010, AISI D2, and AISI M2 steels by thermo-reactive deposition technique in the powder mixture consisting of ferro-niobium, ammonium chloride, and alumina at the temperatures of 1173, 1273, and 1373 K for 60–240 min were investigated. The thickness of the niobium nitride layers formed on the nitro-niobized AISI 1010, AISI D2, and AISI M2 steels are ranged from 2.80 ± 0.90 to 11.89 ± 1.10 μm, 3.16 ± 0.60 to 13.16 ± 1.51 μm, and 3.85 ± 0.91 to 16.77 ± 2.10 μm, respectively. The phases formed in the coating layer deposited on the surface of the steel substrates are NbN_0.95 and Nb₂CN. The hardness of the niobium nitride coating layers produced on AISI 1010, AISI D2, and AISI M2 steels are changing from 1151 ± 126 to 1446 ± 121 HV_0.005, 1359 ± 413 to 1594 ± 761 HV_0.005, and 1321 ± 51 to 1915 ± 134 HV_0.005, respectively. Diffusion constants of the coating layers were changing between 1.517 × 10⁻¹⁵ and 2.043 × 10⁻¹⁴ m²/s, depending on steel compositions, treatment time and temperatures, and activation energies of the AISI 1010, AISI D2, and AISI M2 steels for the process were calculated as 128.7, 123.8, and 132.5 kJ/mol, respectively. Moreover, an attempt was made to investigate the possibility of predicting the contour diagram of niobium nitride coating thickness variation, depending on process time and temperature.     

Investigation of diffusion kinetics of plasma paste borided AISI 8620 steel using a mixture of B 2 O 3 paste and B 4 C/SiC

In the present study, AISI 8620 steel was plasma paste borided by using various B₂O₃ paste mixture. The plasma paste boriding process was carried out in a dc plasma system at temperatures of 973, 1023 and 1073 K for 2, 5 and 7 h in a gas mixture of 70% H₂ -30% Ar under a constant pressure of 10 mbar. The properties of the boride layer were evaluated by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Vickers micro-hardness tester and the growth kinetics of the boride layers. X-ray diffraction analysis of boride layers on the surface of the steel revealed FeB and Fe₂B phases. Depending on temperature and layer thickness, the activation energies of boron in steel were found to be 124.7 kJ/mol for 100% B₂O₃.     

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.     

Formation of carbide layers on AISI H13 and D2 steels by treatment in molten borax containing dissolved both Fe–Nb and Fe–Ti powders

In this work, AISI H13 and D2 tool steels were treated in molten borax, containing dissolved ferro-niobium, ferro-titanium and aluminum, at 1020 °C for 4 h. Samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Vickers microhardness. Well defined layers were obtained with excellent thickness regularity. For the AISI H13 steel the layer measured 9 μm and for the AISI D2 steel the layer thickness was 18 μm. Their microhardness values were at about 2600 HV_0.050. The layers consisted of niobium carbide according to XRD analysis. EDS results showed the predominance of niobium and absence of iron in the layers on both steels. The presence of titanium was detected, just in small amounts, in the region of the layer next to substrate.     

Effects of the high temperature plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) of nitrogen in AISI H13 steel

In this paper we report the effect of high temperature PIII of nitrogen on the chemical and physical properties of AISI H13 steel. The implantation of H13 steels was carried out at different temperatures ranging between 300 °C and 720 °C. After the treatment, the surface morphology was drastically changed as observed by SEM analysis. Nitrogen penetration depth reaching up to 12 μm was achieved at 620 °C and 720 °C. The maximum hardness of about 592 HV was obtained for the sample treated at 470 °C that is 17% higher than for untreated specimen. There was a decrease of the hardness values for temperatures above 470 °C. The same hardness behavior with the temperature was confirmed by nanoindentation testing. Although an enriched nitrogen layer was obtained, no evidence of nitride compounds was detected by XRD analyses. On the other hand, improvements of the H13 steel tribological properties and corrosion resistance were obtained. The wear tests were conducted by pin-on-disk tribometer (rotating mode). The wear volume decreased by factor of 4.5 compared to the standard tempered and annealed H13 steel and 2.6 times reduction of the coefficient of friction was achieved. The electrochemical measurements were performed in 3.5% NaCl solution, pH = 6. Open circuit potential curves showed that the potentials are nobler for the PIII treated samples than for untreated specimen. In addition, the corrosion current density of the samples treated at 620 °C and 720 °C diminished to 3 × 10⁻⁸ A/cm².     

Kinetics of borided gear steels

In this study, the case properties and diffusion kinetics of GS18NiMoCr36 (GS18), GS22NiMoCr56 (GS22) and GS32NiCrMo6.4 (GS32) gear 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 6 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, CrB and Cr₂B compounds. The thickness of the boride layer increases by increasing boriding time and temperature for all steels. The hardness of the boride compounds formed on the surface of the steels GS18, GS22 and GS32 ranged from 1624 to 1905 HV_0,05, 1702 to 1948 HV_0,05, and 1745 to 2034 HV_0,05 respectively, whereas Vickers hardness values of the untreated steels GS18, GS22 and GS32 were 335 HV_0,05, 358 HV_0,05 and 411 HV_0,05, respectively. The activation energies (Q) of borided steels were 228.644 kJ/mol for GS18, 280.609 kJ/mol for GS22 and 294.359 kJ/mol for GS32. The growth kinetics of the boride layers forming on the GS18, GS22 and GS32 steels and the thickness of boride layers were also investigated.     

Investigation of electrochemical corrosion behavior in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution of boronized dual-phase steel

In this study, corrosion behaviors of boronized and non-boronized dual-phase steel were investigated with Tafel extrapolation and linear polarization methods in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. Microstructure analyses show that the boride layer on the dual-phase steel surface had a flat and saw smooth morphology. It was detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis that the boride layer contained FeB and Fe₂B phases. The amount of martensite increases with an increase in the intercritical annealing temperature. Both the amount of martensite and the morphology of the phase constituents have an influence on the corrosion behavior of dual-phase steel. A higher corrosion tendency was observed with an increased amount of martensite. The corrosion resistance of boronized dual-phase steel is higher compared with that of dual-phase steel.     

Hot cracking susceptibility of boron modified AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel welds

Abstract

The hot cracking susceptibility of welds made on AISI 304 stainless steel modified with from 0·2 to 1·0 wt-%B has been investigated. Varestraint tests showed that the hot cracking susceptibility is high for boron additions of about 0·2%, but is decreased when the boron content is increased to ≥0·5%. Steels containing about 0·2%B were found to have a wide solidification temperature range and their high temperature ductility was low compared with boron free AISI 304 steel and the other boron modified steels. Ferrite precipitation was inhibited in the 0·2%B steels and the formation of low melting point grain boundary films was thereby promoted. Increasing the boron content to ≥0·6% reduces the coefficient of thermal expansion and narrows the solidification temperature range. In addition, crack refilling was observed, resulting in improved hot ductility and high resistance to hot cracking. It is concluded that in structures where weld restraint forces are not high, hot cracking is not likely to occur if boron additions of >0·6% are made to AISI 304 stainless steel. In T-type and Fisco weld cracking tests, in which the weld restraint forces are close to those experienced by actual structural welds, the boron modified stainless steels show a low hot cracking susceptibility which is not significantly different from that of boron free AISI 304 steel.

MST/1548     

Fracture toughness of M2 and H13 alloy tool steels

Abstract

The influence of microstructural variations on the fracture toughness of two tool steels having compositions (wt-%) lC–4Cr–5Mo–2V–6W (AISI M2 high-speed steel) and 0·35C–5Cr–1·5Mo;amp;#x2013;1V (AISI H13 hot-work steel) was investigated. In the as-hardened condition, the H13 steel has a higher fracture toughness than M2 steel, and the latter steel is harder. In the tempered condition, the H13 steel is again softer and has a higher fracture toughness than M2. There is a decrease in fracture toughness and an increase in hardness when the austenitizing temperature is above I050°C for M2 steel and above 1100°C for H13 steel, in both the as hardened and hardened and tempered conditions. The fracture toughness of both steels was enhanced by reducing the grain size and increasing the overall carbide volume in the matrix. The steel samples of average grain diameter ≥40μm exhibit 2–3 MN m ^?3/2 lower fracture toughness than samples of average grain diameter ≤15 μm. A high content of retained austenite appears to raise the fracture toughness of as-hardened M2 steel. Tempering improved the fracture toughness of M2 and H13 steels. The present results are explained using observations of changes in the microstructure and the modes of fracture.

MST/468     

Investigation of mechanical properties of borided Nickel 201 alloy

In this study, the case properties of Nickel 201 alloys, borided in Ekabor-II powder, were investigated by conducting a series of experiments at temperatures of 1173 K for 4 h. The boride layer was characterised by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction techniques and the micro-Vickers hardness tester. X-ray diffraction analysis of boride layers on the surface of the steels revealed the existence of NiB, Ni₂B, Ni₃B and Ni₄B₃ compounds.The thickness of the boride layer Nickel 201 alloys is approximately 220 μm. The hardness of the boride compounds formed on the surface of the Nickel 201 alloys ranged from 1153 to 1778 HV_0.05, whereas the Vickers hardness values of the untreated Nickel 201 alloys were 180 HV₀₀₅. When the hardness of the boride layer is compared with that of the matrix, the boride layer hardness is approximately ten times greater.