Investigation of thermochemical boriding effect on wear behavior of a GGG 50 quality as-cast ductile iron

Abstract

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the microstructure and the abrasive wear features of the untreated and pack borided GGG 50 quality ductile iron under various working temperatures. Design/methodology/approach - GGG 50 quality as-cast ductile iron samples were pack borided in Ekabor II powder at 900 degrees C for 3 h, followed by furnace cooling. Structural characterization was made by optical microscopy. Mechanical characterization was made by hardness and pin-on-disc wear test. Pin-on-disc test was conducted on a 240-mesh Al2O3 abrasive paper at various temperatures in between 25 and 450 degrees C. Findings - Room temperature abrasive wear resistance of the borided ductile iron increased with an increase in its surface hardness. High-temperature abrasive wear resistances of the borided ductile iron linearly decreased with an increase in test temperature. However, the untreated ductile iron exhibited relatively high resistance to abrasion at a temperature of 150 degrees C. Originality/value - This study can be a practical reference and offers insight into the effects of boriding process on the increase of room temperature wear resistance. However, above 150 degrees C, the untreated ductile iron exhibited similar abrasive wear performance as compared to the borided ductile iron.