Boronizing mechanism of cemented carbides and their wear resistance

Abstract

Embedded in the solid-state boronizing agent sealed in a container, WC-Co cemented carbides were boronized at an elevated temperature. With the help of microstructure investigation and X-ray diffraction examination of the agent and surface layers of the cemented carbides after boronization, it is determined that KBF4 comes into play to boronize the cemented carbides only on the existence of substance such as B4C, which is capable of providing boron. Induction-heating and hydrogen atmosphere are better for the boronization than resistance heating and argon atmosphere, and the presence of SiC and rare-earth elements is also favorable. The boronizing mechanism was studied based on experimental results. Abrasion test was applied with the result that the boronization made the wear resistance improve significantly. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.