[Stewy0310]

Hello everybody

I've just read about boronizing in automotive engeneering and would like to know what chemical reactions are behind it. Will this coating become an integral part of the metal or could this coating be removed?

Thank you

Warm greetings

[P]

I think the boron atoms are diffused into the structure of the existing metal. I am not sure this counts as a chemical reaction rather than a doping method. Therefore - the boron is part of the lattice of metal atoms across the surface of the metal (rather than a coating)- so removing this 'coating' would require the surface layer of the metal to be removed - probably by grinding it back. I do not know how to remove such a treatment - probably grinding off the surface layers of atoms from the metal itself.

[Enthalpy]

Boron is diffused 10-250µm in the alloy where it makes borides (of Fe, Ni, and minor alloying elements). Whether you want to call it a chemical reaction, I don't care.

Removing it should be difficult. It's comparable with carburizing. Remove the surface of the metal part - but mechanical parts often get unusable then. Boriding serves often against wear, and most wear parts need very accurate dimensions.

[P]

Removing it should be difficult. It's comparable with carburizing. Remove the surface of the metal part - but mechanical parts often get unusable then. Boriding serves often against wear, and most wear parts need very accurate dimensions.

Yea - I'm not sure why you'd want to remove it really.