The effect of a boride diffusion layer on the tribological properties of AISI M2 steel

AISI M2 high speed steel is commonly used as cutting tool in the machining process. Nevertheless, their useful life can be easily reduced by an eventual failure. In the last few years, thermochemical surface hardening process in which boron atoms diffuse into metals surface have been reported as an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Wear 2019-04, Vol.426-427, p.1667-1671
Main Authors: Gutierrez-Noda, L., Cuao-Moreu, C.A., Perez-Acosta, O., Lorenzo-Bonet, E., Zambrano-Robledo, P., Hernandez-Rodriguez, M.A.L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AISI M2 steel
Boride coating
Boriding
Boron
Coefficient of friction
Cutting tools
Diffusion effects
Diffusion layers
Friction reduction
Heat treating
Heat treatment
High speed tool steels
Machining
Mechanical properties
Microhardness
Scanning electron microscopy
Stereomicroscopy
Surface hardening
Thermochemical surface hardening
Tribology
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Summary:AISI M2 high speed steel is commonly used as cutting tool in the machining process. Nevertheless, their useful life can be easily reduced by an eventual failure. In the last few years, thermochemical surface hardening process in which boron atoms diffuse into metals surface have been reported as an alternative to improve tribological properties. In the present work, a diffusional boron heat treatment was carried out at 950 °C by 6 h on AISI M2 steel sample. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Micro-hardness testing was undertaken with the purpose to assess the diffusional boride microstructure and its effect on mechanical properties. On the other hand, tribological test was performed using a ball on disc tribometer tracking their friction coefficient and volume loss. Surface damage was analysed using stereomicroscopy and SEM. The boride diffusional layer achieved 50 µm with an increment of 7 times in the microhardness regarding to untreated sample and 4 times regarding to the adjacent zone to the boride layer. In addition, a reduction of the friction coefficient and better wear response was achieved as a result of boride heat treatment. •The boride diffusional layer achieved an increment of 7 times in the microhardness regarding to the AISI M2 steel.•A relevant reduction on wear and the friction coefficient were observed as a consequence of boronized heat treatment.•Abrasion wear mechanism was observed on the untreated sample while fatigue wear mechanisms were exhibited on the boronized sample.
ISSN:0043-1648
1873-2577
DOI:10.1016/j.wear.2019.01.089