Flat samples with a 25mm diameter and a thickness of 5mm were prepared
from the steels listed in Table 1. The microhardness of the as-received steels is
given in Table 2. Before boronizing, the samples were polished to a mirror-like
finish and cleaned with acetone. Boronizing was performed by putting the study
samples and the chemical agents (Table 3) into a sealed steel crucible, whichwas
then heated in an electrical resistance furnace. The treatment temperature was
in the 1223–1323K range and the duration was between 2 and 8 h. The abrasion
tests were performed by using a rubber-wheel apparatus, in accordance with the
ASTM-G65 standard, operating at a peripheral wheel speed of 2–2.5 m/s and
with a force against the samples of 130 N. Quartz sand (200m) was used as
the abrasive agent. The samples’ mass loss was measured each 60 s.