Thermal-oxidation behavior of single-phase boride layers produced on pure iron

The influence of the oxidation temperature on the single-phase borided layer was investigated. Oxidation at a temperature range 1073-1273 K resulted in formation of a two-zone oxidized layer: outer zone contained iron oxides and inner zone consisted of iron borates. It was found the intensive dissolution of Fe2B phase started at the temperature of 1173 K and was the reason for appearance of the boron-rich FeBO3 phase. The increase in temperature to 1273 K resulted in the complete dissolution of borided layer. No negative influence of oxidation at 1073 K on nanomechanical properties of iron boride Fe2B was observed.

Automated summary

This study investigated the influence of oxidation temperature on the single-phase borided layer. It was found that oxidation at temperatures ranging from 1073 to 1273 K resulted in the formation of a two-zone oxidized layer, with the outer zone containing iron oxides and the inner zone consisting of iron borates. The intensive dissolution of the Fe2B phase at a temperature of 1173 K was identified as the reason for the appearance of the boron-rich FeBO3 phase. Increasing the temperature to 1273 K led to the complete dissolution of the borided layer. No negative impact of oxidation at 1073 K on the nanomechanical properties of iron boride Fe2B was observed.