Microscopic view of a borided steel surface resisting abrasive particles.

Steel Under Stress: Can Boriding Make It Last Longer?

Beau Callahan in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how boriding—a heat treatment process—can dramatically improve steel's resistance to wear and tear, keeping your tools and equipment in top shape for longer."

Whether you're running a manufacturing plant or maintaining equipment, the durability of your steel components is critical. Surface treatments like carburizing, nitriding, and boriding are essential for enhancing steel's resistance to corrosion, wear, and hardness. Among these, boriding stands out as a particularly effective method for creating exceptionally hard surfaces.

Boriding, also known as boronizing, involves diffusing boron atoms into the surface of ferrous metals at high temperatures (typically between 840 and 1050°C). This process forms iron borides, specifically FeB and Fe2B, which are incredibly hard and wear-resistant. The powder-packed method of boriding is favored due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

While the benefits of boriding in improving wear resistance are well-documented, a deeper understanding of its performance under specific abrasive conditions is crucial. This article explores recent research on how borided steel behaves when subjected to microabrasive wear from silica (SiO2) particles, offering insights into optimizing steel treatment for enhanced durability.

How Does Boriding Enhance Steel's Resistance to Abrasive Wear?

Microscopic view of a borided steel surface resisting abrasive particles.

A recent study investigated the microabrasive wear behavior of borided AISI 1020 steel when exposed to SiO2 particles. The steel samples were treated with a boriding process at 1000°C for 4 hours, then subjected to microabrasion testing using SiO2 slurries with varying concentrations and loads. The researchers then examined the resulting surfaces using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and microhardness testing.

The study revealed several key findings:

Formation of a Hard Boride Layer: The boriding process created a layer of Fe2B on the steel surface, measuring approximately 169 µm thick, with a hardness of 1608 ± 101 HV0.05.
Improved Wear Resistance: Boriding significantly improved the steel's resistance to wear compared to untreated samples.
Sliding Abrasive Wear: The primary wear mechanism observed was sliding abrasion, where the hard boride layer resisted the cutting action of the SiO2 particles.
Porous Surface Layer: A reduction in hardness was noted at the outermost surface due to the formation of a porous region, which influences the initial wear behavior.

These results highlight that boriding is an effective method for enhancing the abrasive wear resistance of steel, even when exposed to relatively soft abrasive particles like SiO2. The hard boride layer acts as a barrier, protecting the underlying steel from damage.

The Future of Boriding: Enhancing Steel for Demanding Applications

This study confirms that boriding is a valuable technique for enhancing the wear resistance of steel components. The formation of a hard Fe2B layer significantly reduces abrasive wear, even in the presence of relatively soft abrasives like SiO2.

Further research is needed to optimize the boriding process for specific applications, including exploring the effects of different boriding parameters (temperature, time, and boron source) and the influence of the porous surface layer on long-term wear performance.

By understanding the mechanisms of abrasive wear in borided steel, engineers and manufacturers can develop more durable and reliable components for a wide range of industries, from automotive to aerospace.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2018.06.004, Alternate LINK

Title: Microabrasive Wear Behavior Of Borided Steel Abraded By Sio2 Particles

Subject: Metals and Alloys

Journal: Journal of Materials Research and Technology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Anael Preman Krelling, Filipi Teixeira, Cesar Edil Da Costa, Elisangela Aparecida Dos Santos De Almeida, Bruna Zappelino, Julio Cesar Giubilei Milan

Published: 2019-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is boriding?

Boriding is a heat treatment process where boron atoms are diffused into the surface of ferrous metals, like steel, at high temperatures. This process creates a hard and wear-resistant layer composed of iron borides, specifically FeB and Fe2B. This significantly improves the steel's ability to withstand abrasion, extending the lifespan of components.

Why is boriding important?

The primary significance of boriding lies in its ability to dramatically increase the durability of steel components. This is particularly crucial in industries where steel is subjected to abrasive wear. Boriding enhances the resistance to corrosion, wear, and hardness. The formation of a hard Fe2B layer acts as a protective barrier, preventing the steel from being damaged by abrasive particles such as SiO2, thus extending the operational life of tools and equipment.

What are the practical implications of using boriding?

The implications of boriding are far-reaching, especially in applications where steel components face abrasive wear. By increasing the wear resistance, boriding reduces the need for frequent replacements, leading to cost savings and reduced downtime. For example, in a manufacturing setting, boriding can extend the life of steel parts, like those in machinery or cutting tools, improving the efficiency and longevity of operations. The process is particularly effective against microabrasive wear, demonstrating its suitability for various industrial applications.

How does boriding improve steel's resistance to wear?

The process creates a hard boride layer, primarily Fe2B, on the surface of the steel. This layer acts as a robust shield against abrasive wear. When steel undergoes boriding, the diffusion of boron atoms forms a layer that is exceptionally hard, with a measured hardness of 1608 ± 101 HV0.05 on borided AISI 1020 steel. This hard layer is critical in resisting the cutting action of abrasive particles, such as SiO2, significantly enhancing the overall wear resistance.

What evidence supports the effectiveness of boriding?

Recent research indicates that boriding is effective in protecting steel against microabrasive wear from SiO2 particles. The study showed that boriding AISI 1020 steel at 1000°C for 4 hours created a hard Fe2B layer. This layer significantly enhanced the steel's resistance to wear, with the primary wear mechanism being sliding abrasion. The study also noted that a porous surface layer influenced the initial wear behavior. Thus, boriding can be particularly beneficial in environments where steel is exposed to abrasive materials.