abstract
- © 2015 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.In this work, American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) O1 steel was pack borided in the temperature range of 1123-1273 K for treatment times between 2 and 8 hours. A kinetic model was proposed for estimating the boron diffusion coefficients through the Fe2B layers. As a result, the boron activation energy for the AISI O1 steel was estimated as 197·2 kJ mol-1. This value of energy was compared to the literature data. In addtion, to extend the validity of the present model, two additional boriding conditions were done. The Fe2B layers grown on AISI O1 steel were characterised by use of the following experimental techniques: scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and Daimler-Benz Rockwell-C indentation technique. Finally, the scratch and pin on disc tests for wear resistance were respectively performed using an LG Motion Ltd and a CSM tribometer under dry sliding conditions.