The effect of surface hardening treatments on the mechanical properties of iron based P/M specimens

In this study, boronizing and/or shot peening surface treatments were applied individually or in combination to the P/M steel specimens. The composition of specimens was 3% Cu + 0.2% C + balance Fe%. Tensile strength, hardness values and surface properties of treated specimens were determined. Boronizing + shot peening surface treatment was found to be the most convenient surface treatment for P/M steel materials based on test results. However, it is important to avoid high peening intensities for shot peening of boronized surfaces because shot peening deteriorates the boronized surface of P/M steel specimens. As a result, surface hardness values such as 1800–2500 HV were achieved after boronizing, the difference between the matrix materials with a hardness of 200 HV was quite high.