Diffusional Growth Kinetics of Boride Layers on Iron-Chromium Alloys

Two boride layers were found to form at the interface of iiron-chromiium alllloys (10 and 25% Cr) or an industrial 13% Cr steel and boron at 850-950 oC and reaction times in the range 1-12 h. In the case of a Fe-10% Cr alloy and the steel, the layers are based on the FeB and Fe2B compounds. With a Fe-25% Cr alloy, the constituent phases are FeB and CrB for the outer layer and Fe2B and Cr2B for the inner layer. Both layers are characterized by a pronounced texture. Diffusional growth kinetics of boride layers are close to parabolic and can alternatively be described by a system of two non-linear differential equations, producing a good fit to the experimental data. The temperature dependence of the layer growth-rate constants obeys a relation of the Arrhenius type.