Boronizing is a process that many companies request to improve the durability of their components. A hardening process commonly referred to as boriding; it utilizes thermochemical methods to alter the surface of the metal. In bombarding the surface with boron atoms, it produces several boride compound layers just beneath the surface of the substrate. The result of this true diffusion is a metal that is harder and more durable than the original, non-boronized piece.
Common Metals for the Process
Many metals are capable of undergoing this process. Some are more common in their usage than others are. Below is a list of substrate materials that is representative but not complete.
Ferrous Metals: Companies may use any of the following:
- Carbon steels
- Cast Iron, Ductile Iron
- Low alloy steels
- Tool steels (H13, D2, etc.)
- Stainless steels
Non-Ferrous Metals: Among the more popular candidates in this category are
- Tantalum
- Titanium
- Tungsten
- Niobium
- Molybdenum
Alloys and Superalloys: Common substrates for boronizing in this category are
- Ti-6Al-4V
- Inconel 718
- Inconel 625
- Hastelloy
- Nimonic 80A
- Stellite
As noted above, these are common substrates – not a complete list.
Common Applications
Companies utilize boriding when applications demand high levels of wear-and-tear resistance. Such specifications embrace many industrial uses. It is in high demand among tooling applications. The agricultural industry utilizes the process for the production of blades and cutters. The oil and gas industry also finds a use for in equipment, e.g., valves and valve fittings.
Boronizing
Boriding is a hardening process. It makes various metals highly wear-resistant. It helps the metal components withstand corrosion of diverse types and galling. The process produces workpieces capable of enduring very high temperatures – up to 1200F – without degradation. The process also works with a wide range of materials. Furthermore, combining it with other heat treatment techniques can increase even further the hardening effects of boronizing.