Boron Effect on Mechanical Properties and Structure of Steel STN 41 5230 Surface Layer

This paper deals with the possibility of applying controlled diffusion processes in the remelting of steel surface layers using the electric arc of non-consumable electrode in the environment enriched with selected elements. The objective was to achieve an increased wear resistance. Boron was used in experiments as an alloying element. An assumption was stated in the experiment design that environment dissociation and ionisation can be achieved using electric arc, allowing diffusion processes initiation in the surface layer of remelted steel. Conditions for hard and stable structures formation with required properties should be achieved by surface layers enriching. Steel grade STN 41 5230 was used in experiments. Hardness and relative abrasive wear resistance values were measured on samples after remelting, being crucial as for required properties of surface layers. Not only hardness values were measured in the remelted layer but also their course inwards the material up to reaching the depth of base material not affected by heat. The metallographic analysis of remelted samples was made as well. A significant increase of parameters observed in the boron remelting environment was found. The dependency of the environment effect on the change of properties and boron content in the remelting environment was observed.