Zr/ZrC modified layer formed on AISI 440B stainless steel by plasma Zr-alloying

•A Zr/ZrC modified layer was formed on AISI 440B stainless steel using plasma surface Zr-alloying.•The thickness of the modified layer increases with alloying temperature and time.•Formation mechanism of the modified layer is dependent on the mutual diffusion of Zr and substrate elements.•The modifi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied surface science 2016-12, Vol.388, p.126-132
Main Authors: Shen, H.H., Liu, L., Liu, X.Z., Guo, Q., Meng, T.X., Wang, Z.X., Yang, H.J., Liu, X.P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alloy steels
Alloying
Hardness
Martensitic stainless steel
Microstructure
Plasma surface alloying
Stainless steels
Steels
Wear resistance
X-rays
Zirconium
ZrC
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Summary:•A Zr/ZrC modified layer was formed on AISI 440B stainless steel using plasma surface Zr-alloying.•The thickness of the modified layer increases with alloying temperature and time.•Formation mechanism of the modified layer is dependent on the mutual diffusion of Zr and substrate elements.•The modified surface shows an improved wear resistance. The surface Zr/ZrC gradient alloying layer was prepared by double glow plasma surface alloying technique to increase the surface hardness and wear resistance of AISI 440B stainless steel. The microstructure of the Zr/ZrC alloying layer formed at different alloying temperatures and times as well as its formation mechanism were discussed by using scanning electron microscopy, glow discharge optical emission spectrum, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The adhesive strength, hardness and tribological property of the Zr/ZrC alloying layer were also evaluated in the paper. The alloying surface consists of the Zr-top layer and ZrC-subsurface layer which adheres strongly to the AISI 440B steel substrate. The thickness of the Zr/ZrC alloying layer increases gradually from 16μm to 23μm with alloying temperature elevated from 900°C to 1000°C. With alloying time from 0.5h to 4h, the alloyed depth increases from 3μm to 30μm, and the ZrC-rich alloyed thickness vs time is basically parabola at temperature of 1000°C. Both the hardness and wear resistance of the Zr/ZrC alloying layer obviously increase compared with untreated AISI 440B steel.
ISSN:0169-4332
1873-5584
DOI:10.1016/j.apsusc.2016.03.023