Niobium boride coating on AISI M2 steel by boro-niobizing treatment

Abstract

In this study, niobium boride coating was applied on pre-boronized AISI M2 steel by the thermo-reactive deposition technique in a powder mixture consisting of ferro-niobium, ammonium chloride and alumina at 950 degrees C for 1-4 h. The coated samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and micro-hardness tests. Niobium boride layer formed on the pre-boronized AISI M2 steel was smooth, compact and homogeneous. X-ray studies showed that the phases formed on the steel surfaces are NbB, Nb(3)B(2), FeB and Fe(2)B. The depth of the niobium boride layer ranged from 0.97 mu m to 3.25 mu m, depending on treatment time. The higher the treatment time the thicker the niobium boride layer observed. The hardness of the niobium boride layer was 2738 +/- 353 HV(0.01). (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.