Protective Coatings based on VB₂ on the Surface of D2 die Steel Formed by an Electron Beam in a Vacuum

The paper presents the results of surface hardening of samples made of D2 die steel by complex alloying with preliminary application of a saturating mixture to the surface of the sample, followed by exposure to an electron beam. The morphology and structure of surface layers after electron beam treatment have been studied. Microhardness, elemental and phase compositions, as well as wear resistance in terms of mass loss depending on time were determined. Complex alloying of boron-containing components together with electron beam processing leads to the production of layers with improved physical and mechanical characteristics. The structure of the surface layer, its hardness, structural and phase composition are subject to change. It was found that the alloyed sample has wear resistance from 2.4 to 3.8 times higher than the sample in the original state.