Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Borided AISI H11 Tool Steel

Abstract In this study, the effect of different boriding parameters on some mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of AISI H11 steel, which is extensively used in hot and cold processing applications, was investigated. The grown boride layers were compact and crack-free for all boriding conditions, and they were detected as single phase (Fe2B) at 800 °C and dual phase (FeB + Fe2B) at 900 and 1000 °C. Depending on the treatment condition, the thickness, surface hardness, and Ra values of the coatings were ranged 10.25–94.5 µm, 1704–2015 HV, and 0.285–0.650 µm, respectively. The corrosion resistance was observed to be related to the phase structure, coating thickness, surface roughness, and the density of the boride layers. There is found to be an increase in the corrosion resistance up to almost 65 times after the boriding process, due to the barrier effect of the grown boride layers (such as B2O3).