The effect of chromizing time on the microstructure and properties of B–Cr duplex-alloyed coating prepared by a two-step pack-cementation process was investigated. The phases, microstructure, and element distribution of three coatings obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), secondary electron imaging (SEI), backscattering electron imaging (BSEI), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The results show that as the chromizing time increases, the net-like Fe₂B and rod-like CrFeB phases in the coating gradually disappear, and finally completely transform into the block-like Cr₂B and Cr_xC_y (Cr₇C₃ and Cr₂₃C₆) phases. The growth kinetics analysis shows that interface reaction dominates the coating growth during the early stage of chromizing, while atomic diffusion gradually controls the coating growth at the later stage. The evolution mechanism of the B-Cr duplex-alloyed coating was also discussed.

In this study, a two-step pack cementation process (preboronizing and then chromizing) was employed to prepare the B-Cr duplex-alloyed coating on the steel. After the first step of preboronizing (PB sample), box-type furnace chromizing (BC-1 sample) and induction heating chromizing (BC-2 sample) were carried out, respectively. The phases and microstructure of the coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), backscattering electron imaging (BSEI), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results reveal that the heating mode of the second step of chromizing has a significant effect on the phase composition and microstructure of the B-Cr coating. The efficiency of induction heating is higher than that of the box furnace heating, resulting in a thicker, denser, flatter surface, and B-Cr coating with fully reacted B and Cr elements. The wear and corrosion resistance of the steel is found to be significantly improved by the formation of effective B-Cr coating. The formation mechanisms and properties of the two duplex-alloyed coatings are investigated and discussed.

The effect of chromizing time on the microstructure and properties of B–Cr duplex-alloyed coating prepared by a two-step pack-cementation process was investigated. The phases, microstructure, and element distribution of three coatings obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), secondary electron imaging (SEI), backscattering electron imaging (BSEI), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The results show that as the chromizing time increases, the net-like Fe2B and rod-like CrFeB phases in the coating gradually disappear, and finally completely transform into the block-like Cr2B and CrxCy (Cr7C3 and Cr23C6) phases. The growth kinetics analysis shows that interface reaction dominates the coating growth during the early stage of chromizing, while atomic diffusion gradually controls the coating growth at the later stage. The evolution mechanism of the B-Cr duplex-alloyed coating was also discussed.