Formation of carbide layers on AISI H13 and D2 steels by treatment in molten borax containing dissolved both Fe-Nb and Fe-Ti powders

In this work, AISI H13 and D2 tool steels were treated in molten borax, containing dissolved ferro-niobium, ferro-titanium and aluminum, at 1020 °C for 4 h. Samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Vickers microhardness. Well defined layers were obtained with excellent thickness regularity. For the AISI H13 steel the layer measured 9 μm and for the AISI D2 steel the layer thickness was 18 μm. Their microhardness values were at about 2600 HV0.050. The layers consisted of niobium carbide according to XRD analysis. EDS results showed the predominance of niobium and absence of iron in the layers on both steels. The presence of titanium was detected, just in small amounts, in the region of the layer next to substrate.