Study of structure and properties of steel 38KhN3МFА after low-temperature liquid borating

Abstract

The effect of low-temperature liquid borating on the structure and hardness of steel 38KhN3МFА is studied. It is found that in the borating process at temperature 600...660 °C and duration 8...32 hours boride coating with thickness of 6...19 μm with surface hardness of 1900...2000 HV is formed on the steel surface. The optimal borating regimes are determined, in which hardened layer with solid core is formed. The presence of two boride phases FeB and Fe2B in the boride layer is established by metallographic, X-ray and electron microscopic analyzes.