Diffusion Method of Steel Boriding Without Formation of Iron Borides

Abstract

A new method of strengthening of steel surfaces based on the diffusion saturation of surface layers by boron atoms is proposed. In contrast to the known method of chemical heat treatment (CHT), where boriding of the steel surface is carried out at high temperatures, in this case the surface is treated at temperatures below 800 °C. The advantage of this approach is that iron borides do not appear on the steel surface. Such compounds strengthen the surface and in the same time increase its fragility, which can lead to the destruction of the surface when rapidly changing the mechanical action on the metal. In this article, we consider the possibility to create a new surface boriding technology without formation of iron borides. Three variants of this technology are proposed.