Low-temperature gas carburizing of austenitic X5CrNi18-10 steel activated with a thin iron coating

Abstract

The study investigated the effectiveness of X5CrNi18-10 stainless steel activation by means of a thin iron coating for low temperature carburizing and the usefulness of the generator endothermic atmosphere for this process. In order to activate the steel surface an iron coating with a thickness of 1–2 µm was applied on it electrolytically electroless. Carburizing was carried out at the temperatures of 450–500oC in the atmospheres based on the generator endothermic atmosphere with the addition of nitrogen or hydrogen. Coating modification by adding a few per cent of sulphur to iron resulted in a reduction of the dispersion of hardness on the surface, and the appearing soot showed a loose connection with the coating. Alternative activation by means of the short-term oxy-nitriding and the following diffusion annealing promoted an increase of hardness on the surface and a reduction of its dispersion after carburizing. After carburizing in endogas of X5CrNi18-10 steel at 470oC during 30 h, a carburized layer with a thickness of approx. 35 μm and the surface hardness of approx. 1150 HV0,05 were obtained. Lowering the carburizing temperature by 20oC resulted in a decrease of the layer thickness by 20% after 24 hours of carburizing. The changes in the thickness of the layer carburized in endogas and the hardness on the surface since the carburization were determined.