Re- Introducing Boronization: applications, process, and specifications

I am submitting for the Emerging Technologies, but it could also be considered for Advanced Materials and technologies for Harsh environments.

The main theme of the presentation is to re-define the significant attributes of the Boronization process, from ecological and performance benefits, differentiate the conversion results, as well as review the technology now available to define it.

• Re-Define boriding benefits
  • Hard
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Environmentally inert
• Review boriding differences
  • There are different diffusion results based on process
• Identify the technology to evaluate boriding in an effort to create new AMS spec’s
  • Review new technology that can differentiate the diffusion make up

There is a need to enhance component life in heavy wear and corrosive environments. Historically industry has used Hexavalent Chrome but it needs to be replaced as well. Boronization is one viable solution for many applications and there have been . We will differentiate the benefits of the Boronization processes. This will define the need for more specifications within the “boriding process family” with at least two AMS specifications. The conventional processes produce a variation of boron diffusion results creating FeB and / or Fe2B and they should not be categorized as having the same result on the base metal, similar to how we have multiple AMS specifications for nitriding. There has not been technology available to definitively document the variation of the conversion process to improvements in the process as well as technology to measure and define the differences. We have worked with a technology company that can accurately analyze the differences between the Boronization process, allowing the specification delineation.