Diffusion coatings on iron and steel and determination of the diffusion coefficients of Cr,V,Ti and Mn in iron

Experimental works have been carried out for obtaining wear and high temperature oxidation resistant surface coatings on ferrous materials (Armco iron, steel and cast iron). The surface coatings were formed through the diffusion of a series of transition metals (Cr, V, Ti and Mn) in iron by using a pack–cementation procedure where the source for diffusing metal was a ferroalloy powder. The structure of the diffusion layers was studied by microhardness determinations, as well as by optical and electron microscopy. The penetration profiles of the diffusing element in pure iron have been established by quantitative microprobe analysis and on this basis the inter–diffusion and intrinsic coefficients of Cr, V, Ti and Mn in iron have been determined.