Abstract :
In the present study, kinetics of borides
formed on AISI H13 hot work tool and AISI 304
stainless steels have been investigated. Boronizing
treatment was carried out in slurry salt bath consisting
of borax, boric acid and ferrosilicon at temperature
range of 1073–1223 K for 3, 5 and 7 h. X-ray diffraction
analysis of boride layers on the surface of steels
revealed various peaks of FeB, Fe2B, CrB and Ni3B.
Metallographic studies revealed that the boride layer
has a flat and smooth morphology in the 304 steel while
H13 steel was a ragged morphology. Depending on
temperature and layer thickness, the activation energies
of boron in 304 and H13 steels were found to be
253.35 and 244.37 kJ mol–1, respectively.
