The use of b4c added powder mixtures in boride coating of steels and its characterization

Boron and boron coatings have a wide usage area in the industry due to their superior properties. Boronizing; It is a thermochemical surface modification method used to improve the mechanical properties of the metallic material surface. Boronizing; surface treatment is generally applied at 700-1050 ºC and 1-12 hours. Boronizing process can be applied in solid, liquid and gas environments. As a boron source, amorphous boron, boron carbide, anhydrous borax, activator KBF4, which ensures the regular growth of the layer, filling material and deoxidants (SiC etc.) mixtures are used. These mixtures are often not published by the relevant company as a trade secret and their use is limited in some cases. In this study, Ø10x6 mm processed samples made of AISI 1040 steel were subjected to solid boronizing process in a well type furnace at 900 °C for 2 hours. As a boron source, boriding process was carried out by using doped B4C (boron carbide) powders created in different combinations by BOREN. The samples, whose boronizing surface treatment was completed, were prepared for metallographic study. In order to determine the changes in the boride layers formed on the surface of the samples, XRD analysis was carried out, the internal structures and layer thicknesses were examined in the Optical Microscope and the layer morphology was examined with the SEM device. Then, the hardness values of the samples were measured and their wear resistance was checked. As a result of the analyzes made with doped boron powders, it was determined that boron phases were formed on the surface of the examined steel. It has been determined that the coating ability of the formed phases is close to the results obtained from the boriding process with the Commercial Ekabor II powder, which we took as a reference.