Growth characteristics and kinetics of niobium carbide coating obtained on AISI 52100 by thermal-reactive diffusion technique

Abstract

Niobium carbide coating was produced by thermal-reactive diffusion technique on AISI 52100 steel in salt bath at 1 123 K, 1 173 K, and 1 223 K for 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. The salt consisted of borax, sodium fluoride, boron carbide, and niobium pentoxide. The presence of N_bC phase on the steel surface was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Microscopic observation showed that niobium carbide coating formed on the substrate was smooth and compact. There was a distinct and flat interface between the coating and substrate. The micro-hardness of niobium carbide coating was 2892±145HV. The thickness of coating ranged from 1.6 μm to 14μm. The forming kinetics of niobium carbide coating was revealed. Moreover, a contour diagram derived from experimental data was graphed for correct selection of process parameters. Some mathematical equations were built for predicting the coating thickness with predetermined processing temperature and time. The results showed that these mathematical equations are very practical as well as the kinetics equation.

Keywords

thermal-reactive deposition / niobium carbide coating / growth kinetics / AISI 52100

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