Microstructure of a chrome-boriding of induction hardened DIN Ck 45 steel

Abstract

Abstract In this study, boriding of DIN Ck 45 steel, which is hard chrome plated after induction hardening, is used as a linear shaft in 3D printers. The boriding treatment, which was carried out by the pack-boriding method, was carried out in an atmosphere-controlled furnace at 1273 K for 2 h. The thickness, morphology, hardness, and chemical composition of the boride layer formed on the sample surface as a result of the boriding process using Ekabor 2 boriding agent were examined and compared with the un-borided sample. The microstructure images were obtained with a digital camera integrated into an optical microscope, and these images were analyzed in detail with the help of an image analysis program. After the optical microscope examinations were completed, point EDX analyzes were performed on the image obtained with the help of SEM. As a result of EDX analysis, it was determined that the layer formed on the material surface was only chromium boride formed by the interaction of chromium and boron element. Finally, the hardness measurements of the borided sample were carried out with the help of Vickers indenter and then differences were compared with the un-borided sample.