This paper evaluates the influence of niobium additions on the wear behavior of high-silicon steel, representative of the advanced high strength steels used in the automotive industry. It describes the alloy compositions of the test samples used, the heat treatments to which they were subjected, and the tests that were subsequently performed. It also interprets test results and outlines key findings.

This work investigates the effect of boriding and thermo-reactive deposition on 15B30 steel. The results presented in the paper show that these thermochemical treatments produce boride and carbide rich layers that improve surface hardness and wear resistance, and they do so without the adverse effects of adding more boron to the alloy.

The purpose of this work is to incorporate boriding and austempering treatments in a single thermal cycle and assess its effect on two high strength bainitic steels. The combined process, called boro-austempering, is a promising alternative to increase the surface wear resistance of advanced high strength steels as shown in the test results presented.