Simulation of the growth kinetics of FeB and Fe2B phases on the AISI M2 borided steel: Effect of the paste thickness

Abstract

Abstract The influence of boron paste thickness on the simulated growth kinetics of Fe borides grown on the AISI M2 steel's substrate was investigated. The boron potential was varied using two boron paste thicknesses (3 and 4 mm) with time durations of 2 and 6 h, and treatment temperatures of 1223, 1253, and 1273 K. Assuming that the growth of the boride layers follows a parabolic law, a kinetic model was applied to evaluate the parabolic growth constant at each growing phase interface, the layer thicknesses of Fe borides, as well as the associated mass gain depending on the treatment parameters (process time, temperature, and boron paste thickness). The simulation results were in good agreement with experimental data taken from the literature.