Abstract

In this study, AISI 1040 steel was boronized using the packed boronizing technique. Processes were carried out at the temperature of 950°C for 2 and 4 h of treatment. The wear resistance model for AISI 1040 steel was developed in terms of boronizing time, applied load, sliding distance and sliding speed using the Taguchi method. Wear tests were carried out using a pin-on-disc type of apparatus under different conditions. The orthogonal array, signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and analysis of variance are employed to investigate the optimal testing parameters. The experimental results demonstrate that the boronizing time was the major parameter among the controllable factors that influence the weight loss of AISI 1040 steel. For AISI 1040 steel, the boronizing time had the greatest effect on the wear, followed by sliding distance. The applied load and sliding speed had a much lower effect. The optimal combination of the testing parameters could be determined. A good agreement between the predicted and actual weight loss was observed within ±3.5%.

Key words: Taguchi method, boronizing, wear test.