Diffusional Growth Kinetics of Boride Layers at the 13% Cr Steel Interface with Amorphous Boron

Abstract

Two borides FeB and Fe2B were found to form as separate layers at the interface between a 13% Cr steel and boron at 850-950 oC and reaction times up to 12 h. The chromium distribution within the boride layers is rather irregular. Its average content is 8 at. % in the FeB layer and 9 at. % in the Fe2B layer. Both layers are characterized by a pronounced texture. The strongest reflections are {002} and {020} for the orthorhombic FeB phase and {002} for the tetragonal Fe2B phase. Diffusional growth kinetics of boride layers are close to parabolic and can alternatively be described by a system of two non-linear differential equations, producing a good fit to the experimental data.