Effect of Direct Current Field on Powder-Pack Chromizing of AISI 1045

AISI 1045 steel substrate was pack-chromized for 6hr at 900, 1000 and 1100°C. Pack chromizing was also carried out by applying direct current field between the treated sample and the powder agents (current of 4.5 A and voltage of 20 V). The treated layers were studied by optical and scanning electron microscopes as well as X-ray diffraction technique. Subsequently, in order to evaluate the hardness of the layer, Vickers micro hardness tests were carried out under an applied load of 25 gF. The results showed that by applying direct current field during chromizing, thickness and uniformity of the treated layers are increased. The hardness of the coatings was also increased from 812 to 879 Vickers.