Effect of carbon and nitrogen diffusion zone on growth mechanism of boride layer produced on Q235 Steel. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Bin; Liao, Yizhao; Gao, Chuanli; Li, Hui; Xu, Chi; Xue, Wenbin
• Is Part Of: Materials today communications. Volume 33(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Plasma electrolysis treatment -- Q235 Steel -- Scratch resistance -- Spectroscopy -- Acoustics -- Growth mechanism; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.104632
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4928

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to indicate the effect of the presence of the carbon and nitrogen diffusion zone below the boride layers of Q235 low-carbon steel. The boride layers were produced by cathodic plasma electrolysis treatment (PET). Based on the results, the boride layer thickness on the treated samples at 260 V and 300 V varied from 10 µm to 22 µm. The XRD and GDOES analysis demonstrate that the boride layer on the treated samples mainly consists of single Fe2 B phase, and the top loose layer mainly contain Fe2 O3, Fe3 C, Fe4 N, and BN phases. The boride layers exhibited excellent scratch resistance compared to the bare Q235 steel. In addition, the plasma electron temperature was around 3000–4500 K, and the frequency spectra of acoustic signals were related to the voltage-time and current-time curves. At the high temperature and strong electric field, the decomposition reaction of electrolyte and the growth mechanism of the boride layers were discussed. Graphical Abstract: Schematic of reactions in vapor gaseous envelope around the Q235 steel cathode during the plasma electrolysis process. ga1 Highlights: The boride layers on Q235 steel were produced by cathodic plasma electrolysis treatment. The boride layers exhibited excellent scratch and adhesion resistance. The OES and air acoustic spectra were measured. Decomposition reactions of electrolyte and growth mechanism of boride layer were discussed.