Microstructure and Growth Mechanism of Glucose-Carburized Nickel Substrates

Abstract

In this research, efforts were made to study the modification of microstructure of pure Ni matrices. Modification was attempted using glucose as carburizing medium under a control of heat treatment conditions. Nickel plates were carburized under vacuum conditions at 380°C and 650°C for 3 hours. In order to determine the parameters of the carburizing, thermal properties of glucose along with the thermochemical behavior were examined by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). The characterization of the microstructure of the carburized specimens was investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). For analyzing the effect of temperature treatment on corrosion resistance, electrochemical corrosion tests were conducted. It was observed that the polarization curves for carburized samples at 380°C were shifted to lower corrosion current densities. Consequently, lower corrosion rates were achieved for these samples preventing the formation of extensive corrosion over their surfaces comparing with carburized Nickel substrates at 650°C.