Formation of a Protective Layer Based on Chromium Boride on the Surface of Kh12MF Steel Using Electron-Beam Treatment

The preparation of coating layers containing the borides Cr₂B, Cr₂B₃, and FeB on Kh12MF steel using the electron-beam treatment of reacting coatings made of Cr₂O₃, amorphous boron, and carbon is considered. The influence of the treatment time on the structure, composition, and microhardness of the layers is investigated. The maximum microhardness of the layers is ~18.5 GPa. The studies allow one to conclude that electron-beam treatment can be used to strengthen cutting and other tools, which experience high temperature heating during operation, without a significant reduction in performance. It is known that, along with high hardness and wear resistance, boride layers also have a significant disadvantage: increased brittleness. The studies carried out show that the use of electronic heating allows a reduction in brittleness and increase in plasticity of the alloys. The layers after electron-beam boriding have a heterogeneous structure combining hard (brittle) and more plastic structural components.