Effect of carbon and nitrogen diffusion zone on growth mechanism of boride layer produced on Q235 Steel

• Published in: Materials today communications 2022-12, Vol.33, p.104632, Article 104632
• Main Authors: Wang, Bin, Liao, Yizhao, Gao, Chuanli, Li, Hui, Xu, Chi, Xue, Wenbin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustics; Growth mechanism; Plasma electrolysis treatment; Q235 Steel; Scratch resistance; Spectroscopy
• ISSN: 2352-4928; 2352-4928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.104632

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 Fe2B phase, and the top loose layer mainly contain Fe2O3, Fe3C, Fe4N, 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. [Display omitted] •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.