Surface property enhancement by RE-borosulphurizing on high-carbon steel

Pack boronizing and rare-earth (RE)-borosulphurizing of high-carbon steel (T8) were conducted at 950 ^°C for 6 h. Characterizations of the layers formed on the surface of the high carbon steel were carried out by metallographic techniques, scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and wear and corrosion resistance tests. It has been revealed that the diffusion front of the boride layer (BL) has a sawtooth shape, while that of the RE-borosulfide layer (RBSL) is flat. Different from the BL layer, the RBSL layer is compact, continuous and flat. The formation of FeS, Fe₂B and FeB phases on the substrates was confirmed by Auger electron spectroscopy analysis. The wear resistance test indicated that within a certain range, the abrasion resistance of the RBSL layer is better than that of the BL layer, especially under high-load conditions. The corrosion resistance test using the weight loss method has shown that the corrosion resistance of the RBSL layer is better but decreases faster with time extension than that of the BL layer.