Effect of AISI 1018 Steel Dimensions on FeB-Fe2B Layer Growth and Electric Field Strength Variations during Pulsed-DC Powder-Pack Boriding
摘要
This study reveals novel insights into the FeB-Fe2B layer growth on AISI 1018 steel exposed to the Pulsed-DC Powder-Pack Boriding (PDCPB). In this research, cylindrical specimens with varying lengths (~0.19 to ~ 0.80 cm) and surface areas (3.33 to 16.48 cm2) were analyzed, considering mass change (Δm), surface-to-volume ratio (SVR), and steel length change (Δh). PDCPB was conducted at 800 °C for 3600 s, considering 7.5 A current intensity and 10 s of polarity inversion cycles. Results revealed that a decreasing initial surface area (Ao) increased boride layer thickness due to a higher SVR, Joule effect, and the availability of boron ions (B+). Mass gain (G(t)) was estimated through an analysis from the Fe-B phase diagram, while Δh was attributed to the boride layer thickness, both exhibiting deviations below 10% with respect to validation data. PDCPB demonstrated advantages over conventional methods, enabling controlled layer growth through the interaction of electrical and geometric parameters.