ABSTRACTIn the present work the kinetic growth is analyzed for a hard coating applied on a low carbon steel AISI 8620. A thermochemical treatment of bored with dehydrated paste at temperatures of 900, 950 and 1000 °C with a residence time of 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. The morphology and types of borides formed on the surface of the steel were evaluated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The layer formed has a size of 20 to 113 μm which will be dependent on the process temperature, the treatment time and the alloy elements of the substrate. Hardness of 1493-1852 HV are presented for treatment times and temperatures established in this study. The kinetics of growth were determined and analyzed using a mathematical model of diffusion, evaluating the penetration of the biphasic layer that is determined as a function of the time and temperature of the thermochemical treatment (TCT). The results show the increase in the growth constants (k) with respect to the bored temperatures. The activity energy (Q) of the material AISI 8620 was also obtained.
Experimental study of the thermochemical treatment of the low-grade coal prior to boiler combustion at coal-fired power station
