Diffusion Model for Simulating the Kinetics of Boronizing Process in the Case of FeB/Fe2B Bilayer Configuration

Abstract

In this work, we developed a diffusion model based on the second Fick's law and the solving of the mass balance equations of the (FeB/Fe2B) interface to simulate the boronizing kinetics in the case of bilayer configuration (FeB/Fe2B) formed on AISI D2 steel. It is known that the boronizing process is a thermochemical surface treatment generally carried out at temperatures ranging between 1223 K and 1323 K. The knowledge of the temperature and the processing time are necessary to simulate and optimize the boronizing process. The developed model in this study is used to estimate the value of the growth rate constant in each phase, to simulate the boride layer thickness formed on AISI D2 steel, to determine the boron concentration profile and to evaluate the mass gain at the surface of the borided AISI D2 steel. To validate the developed model, we used the experimental data taken from the literature concerning the layers thicknesses of FeB and Fe2B layers obtained for different process parameters. Finally, these experimental values are compared to the calculated results. A good agreement was observed between the simulated results and the experimental data.