Growth kinetics of Fe2B layer formed on the surface of borided AISI M2 high-speed steel

Abstract

Abstract In this study, the growth kinetics of the Fe2B layer was investigated and formed on the surface of borided AISI M2 high-speed steel. Boriding treatments carried out by the pack-boriding method were carried out using Ekabor 2 boriding agent at 1,173, 1,273, and 1,373 K for 2, 4, and 6 h. After the boriding processes, the samples were prepared metallographically and their microstructures were examined with the help of backscattered electrons (BE) by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Following SEM examinations, microhardness measurements were carried out from a single sample using 100 g with the Vickers indentation method to understand whether the layer hardness was compatible with Fe2B. When the results of the experimental studies are compared with the results of the literature, it has been determined that AISI M2 high-speed steel can be borided and the boride layer formed on the surface is single-phased (Fe2B), unlike that formed on many other steel types. After determining that the layer formed on the borided AISI M2 surface is single-phase Fe2B, the growth kinetics calculations of this phase were carried out with the help of the Arrhenius equation.