Abstract
The paper presents the results of the microstructure investigation, phase and chemical composition, microhardness as well as corrosion and wear resistance tests of B-Si coatings produced on C45 steel. In this study, boron and silicon were added to the surface of steel using the laser alloying process. The main purpose of the study was to check whether the use of silicon, boron or a mixture of these chemical elements would improve the mechanical properties of the surface. Boron and silicon, as well as its mixture, were prepared in various proportions and subsequently were applied on steel substrate in the form of pre-coat (paste) of 80 µm thick. All pre-coats were processed by a laser beam and the obtained microstructures were analyzed and compared. Laser alloying processes were carried out using device equipped with a CO2 laser. After laser alloying, the microstructure consisted of a melted zone, heat affected zone and unchanged steel substrate. The newly created B-Si coatings were characterized by properties better than the case of boron and silicon coatings, with particularly high microhardness in the range from 1430 HV to 1870 HV, as well as high corrosion and wear resistance.
Highlights
Industries are constantly looking for modern processing technologies of metal alloys to increase their mechanical and operational properties
In the cross-section of each obtained coating, the microstructure was composed of a melted zone (MZ), a heat affected zone (HAZ) and a substrate
The most likely explanation for this is that the heat of the laser beam first was accumulated in the melted zone, and was transferred to the thin layer of the substrate and caused grain growth in the heat affected zone
Summary
Industries are constantly looking for modern processing technologies of metal alloys to increase their mechanical and operational properties. Despite the fact that boronized layers produced by the diffusion method have many advantages, such as high microhardness, good adhesion of the needle-like structure to the substrate, as well as good wear and corrosion resistance, they have some disadvantages—in particular, brittleness and porosity in the surface zone [16,17,18]. These disadvantages are bound to occur and may contribute to the deterioration of operational properties in the final product.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
