Boronising furnace

Continental Furnaces’ Boronising Furnace provides exceptional surface hardening through boron diffusion, creating extremely hard boride layers on steel and alloy surfaces. This specialized heat treatment delivers superior wear resistance, corrosion protection, and extended component life for demanding applications.

Key Features

• Controlled Atmosphere Chamber: Precise boron diffusion environment

• High Temperature Capability: Up to 1000°C for optimal diffusion

• Uniform Treatment: Even boride layer formation across surfaces

• Sealed Retort Design: Prevents contamination and atmosphere loss

• Flexible Process Options: Powder pack, paste, or gas boronising

• Advanced Controls: Temperature and time management for consistent results

Technical Specifications

• Design Type: Sealed chamber or retort furnace

• Heating Method: Electric resistance or gas-fired

• Temperature Range: 850°C to 1000°C

• Process Duration: 2-12 hours depending on case depth required

• Boride Layer Depth: 25-250 microns

• Atmosphere Control: Inert or reducing atmosphere

• Surface Hardness: 1500-2000 HV typical

• Control System: PLC with programmable cycles

Advantages

• Extreme Surface Hardness: Hardest diffusion treatment available

• Excellent Wear Resistance: Superior to carburizing or nitriding

• Corrosion Resistance: Protective boride layer

• Friction Reduction: Lower coefficient of friction

• High Temperature Stability: Maintains hardness at elevated temperatures

• Adhesion Resistance: Prevents material buildup on surfaces

Boronising Process Methods

1. Powder Pack Boronising: Components packed in boron-containing powder

2. Paste Boronising: Boron paste applied to specific areas

3. Gas Boronising: Boron-containing gas atmosphere

4. Electrolytic Boronising: Electrochemical boron deposition (specialized)

Process Stages

1. Surface Preparation: Cleaning and degreasing

2. Packing/Coating: Application of boron-bearing medium

3. Heating: Temperature ramp to diffusion range

4. Diffusion: Boron penetration and boride formation

5. Cooling: Controlled cooling to room temperature

6. Finishing: Cleaning and final inspection

Applications

• Extrusion Dies: Aluminum and plastic extrusion tooling

• Drawing Dies: Wire and tube drawing applications

• Injection Molding: Mold components and screws

• Forming Tools: Punches, dies, and stamping tools

• Cutting Tools: Shearing blades and cutting edges

• Pump Components: Impellers and shaft sleeves

• Valve Components: Seats and stems for wear resistance

• Agricultural Equipment: Tillage tools and wearing parts

• Mining Equipment: Drilling components and wear parts

• Textile Machinery: Thread guides and wear surfaces

Industries Served

• Tool and die manufacturing

• Plastic and rubber processing

• Metal forming and stamping

• Agricultural equipment

• Mining and drilling

• Pump and valve manufacturing

• Textile machinery

Material Compatibility

• Carbon Steels: All grades suitable for boronising

• Alloy Steels: Tool steels, die steels, stainless steels

• Cast Iron: Gray and nodular cast iron

• Nickel Alloys: Specialized applications

• Cobalt Alloys: High-temperature applications

Boride Layer Characteristics

• Composition: FeB and Fe2B phases

• Hardness: 1500-2000 HV (Vickers hardness)

• Depth: 25-250 microns depending on process time

• Structure: Needle-like crystals perpendicular to surface

• Adhesion: Metallurgically bonded to substrate

Process Parameters

• Temperature: 850-1000°C typical

• Time: 2-12 hours for desired case depth

• Boron Source: Boron carbide, ferroboron, or boron halides

• Atmosphere: Argon, nitrogen, or reducing gas

• Cooling: Furnace cooling or air cooling

Advantages Over Other Treatments

Vs. Carburizing:

• Much harder surface (1800 HV vs. 700 HV)

• Better wear resistance

• Lower friction coefficient

Vs. Nitriding:

• Greater case depth achievable

• Higher surface hardness

• Better corrosion resistance

Vs. Hard Chrome Plating:

• No hydrogen embrittlement

• Better adhesion

• Environmentally friendly process

Surface Preparation Requirements

• Thorough cleaning and degreasing

• Removal of scale and oxides

• Surface grinding for critical applications

• Masking of areas not to be treated

Post-Treatment Operations

• Light polishing to remove surface irregularities

• Grinding for precision dimensions

• Optional additional coating (PVD/CVD)

• Final inspection and testing

Quality Control Methods

• Metallographic examination of cross-sections

• Microhardness testing at various depths

• Dimensional verification

• Surface roughness measurement

• Adhesion testing

Environmental and Safety Considerations

• Inert atmosphere prevents harmful emissions

• Safe handling of boron-containing compounds

• Proper ventilation for powder handling

• Personal protective equipment requirements

• Waste disposal per regulations

Furnace Design Options

1. Batch Box Furnace: General-purpose boronising

2. Retort Furnace: High-purity atmosphere control

3. Pit Type Furnace: Long components and shafts

4. Continuous Furnace: High-volume production (specialized)

Maintenance and Service Life

• Regular inspection of heating elements

• Retort replacement schedules

• Atmosphere system maintenance

• Control system calibration

• Extended service life with proper care

Cost-Benefit Analysis

• Higher initial treatment cost than conventional methods

• Significantly extended component life (3-10x longer)

• Reduced downtime and replacement costs

• Lower total cost of ownership

• Improved productivity

Why Choose Continental Furnaces?

Continental Furnaces brings specialized expertise in boronising technology with custom-designed furnaces for optimal boride layer formation. Our ISO-certified manufacturing and experienced metallurgical team ensure superior results and reliable equipment performance.