Metal suicide on the steel substrate formed by atmospheric controlled IH-FPP (AIH-FPP) nd its effect on corrosion resistance improvement

Metal suicides are potential materials because of their excellent properties such as corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and wear resistance. In this study, the authors propose a new surface treatment process to form metal suicides on metallic materials by using an atmospheric controlled IH-FPP. Atmospheric controlled IH-FPP in which Si particles are bombarded to the substrate with an elevated temperature of 1173 K can form the iron silicide. Elevated temperature of the substrate enhances transfer of Si particles on the substrate, followed by mixing and/or diffusion into the substrate. This results in the formation of iron silicides. Atmospheric controlled IH-FPP with Si-Cr mixed particles also forms the iron silicide. Atmospheric controlled IH-FPP with the mixed particles followed by annealing of 873 K for 3600 s forms chromium silicide in accordance with Fe-Cr-Si ternary phase diagram. Carbon steel materials covered with the silicide layer exhibit better corrosion resistance since SiO₂ is formed on the silicide.