Estimation of FeB layer’s yield strength by comparison of finite element modeling with experimental data

In this study, low alloy steel substrates were borided by pack boriding process, for 2, 4 and 6 h at 900 °C. Microstructural observations were conducted by using SEM. The structural composition of layers consists of boron rich phase (FeB) and iron rich phase (Fe2B). First, experimental indentation studies were carried out to determine the load–unload curves of FeB layers at different peak loads. Important parameters such as hardness and Young’s modulus of FeB layers, and contact area were obtained from experimental indentation test sample data. After the mechanical characterization of samples, finite element modeling was applied to simulate the mechanical response of FeB layer on low alloy steel substrate by using ABAQUS software package program. The unique contribution of this study different from previous methods is the estimation of the yield strength of FeB layer by combining the experimental indentation works and finite element modeling (FEM).