Enhancement of the RE-boronizing process through the use of La, Nd, Sm, and Gd compounds

Abstract

Rare-earth elements have been used in the thermochemical treatment of boronizing to enhance boron diffusion. In order to further investigate the effect of these elements on the process, neodymium-, samarium-, and gadolinium were utilized for the treatment of AISI 1045 samples carried out at the temperature of 1173 K for 4 h. The resulting boride layers formed were characterized through optical microscopy, microhardness test, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The comparison of the layers showed that the addition of neodymium increased the depth by 48%, with samarium by 54%, and with gadolinium by 76%.