Growth Kinetics and Mechanical Characterization of a Hard Boron Coating on a Tool Steel

Abstract

The mechanical characteristics are determined to a FeB/Fe2B coating applied in AISI L6 steel tool and blades make to cut paper. The thermochemical treatment was applied at temperatures of 1173, 1223 and 1273 K with permanence time of 0.5, 2 and 3 h for each temperature. The diffusion coefficient and activation energy for each phase is obtained for this boron coating on an AISI L6 steel. HRC test were made to establish the type of adherence (qualitative) and comparing with the VDI 3198 standard and the results were obtaining optimal classification of HF1-HF2 in condition for 3h of the three temperatures. The result by nanoidentation show hardness of 1000 - 2000 HV as well as the Young's modulus for each present phase of the coating. Through micrographs (SEM) are showing thicknesses up to 79.52 ± 18.82 μm for FeB and 97.80 ± 20.01μm for Fe2B, a morphology sawn ́s type is evidence. Through EDS and x-ray diffraction are used to show the chemical elements formed.