Investigation of mechanical properties of boronized composites produced by electroless Ni coating

Abstract

In this study, ceramic-metal composite production and characterization have been made in order to increase the service life of plotter tools used in soil industry. In the study Ni coated (36% AlN + 3% WC) powders were circularly shaped in uniaxial hydraulic press. These samples were sintered at 1000-1100-1200-1300-1400 °C with argon atmosphere in conventional furnaces. The highest hardness value of 112.9 Hv was obtained in the composite samples (36%AlN + 3%WC) at 1400 °C. Powder metallurgy was applied to ceramic-metal composites by using box boring in dry air atmosphere at 950 °C for 4 hours. The samples were characterized by mechanical and metallographic examination. After box boronization, hardness values were measured, their densities were calculated, the current phases were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method and microstructures were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest hardness value of 1150.80 Hv was sintered at 1400 ° C and 61% Ni was obtained in the box boron composite sample (36% AlN + 3% WC). Better mechanical and metallographic results were obtained from the samples by using box boring method. The porosity decreased in the microstructure examination of the sample. Considering the advantages of non-electric Ni coating method in sintering, it can be said that improving mechanical properties is a good method. Boronizing process was effective in reducing surface porosity and increasing surface hardness up to 10 times.