Enhanced EMC and shielding effectiveness of boron-coated ST52 steel: an experimental study

This study presents the development and characterization of boron-coated ST52 steel for effective electromagnetic shielding applications. Salt bath boriding techniques were employed to deposit boron-rich coatings on the surface of ST52 steel substrates. A comprehensive examination of the microstructure and composition of the coating was conducted through a series of analytical techniques, including optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The findings indicate that the coatings produced by both techniques exhibited a substantial concentration of iron borides, including Fe₂B and FeB, along with residual traces of α-Fe. It is notable that the boron-coated ST52 steel samples exhibited considerable electromagnetic shielding effectiveness, with values ranging from 30 to 45 dB across the frequency range of 3.2–6 GHz. The GMAW-deposited coatings exhibited superior adhesion to the ST52 steel substrate and greater resistance to spalling in comparison to the arc-sprayed coatings. These findings highlight the potential of boron-coated ST52 steel as a highly promising material for effective electromagnetic interference shielding in a range of electronic and aerospace applications.