Issue 78

N. Mohan et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 78 (2026) 129-145; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.78.08

of 2.74 - 3.20 µm and the width are in the range of 0.29- 0.35 mm. Boronized MSS at 950°C show a decrease in the width and depth of the wear scar which aligns with the smoother surface topographies observed in Fig. 5 (c-d). The difference in the surface topographies and the scar profiles may be attributed to the different wear mechanisms which are discussed in the subsequent sections.

Figure 5: 3D surface topographies of boronized MSS at 1000°C (a) 13Cr4Ni and (b) 16Cr5Ni and 950°C at (c)13Cr4Ni and (d) 16Cr5Ni in dry sliding wear condition.

Figure 6: Wear scar profiles of boronized MSS at 1000°C of (a) 13Cr4Ni and (b) 16Cr5Ni and at 950°C of (c) 13Cr4Ni and (d)16Cr5Ni MSS. Wear rate and mechanism The wear rates of the boronized MSS in dry sliding wear condition are as shown (fig. 7). The wear rates range between 5.1- 3.5 × 10 -6 mm 3 /Nm. The wear rate of the MSS boronized at 1000°C is higher than the MSS boronized at 950°C. For boronized 13Cr4Ni and 16Cr5Ni MSS, the wear rates at 950°C decrease by 25 and 27 % than at 1000°C. These values are in the same range as reported by previous literature [16-19]. Ersan Mertgenc et al. investigated the tribological properties of borided AISI 303 stainless steel at varying boride temperatures (850, 900 and 950°C) and durations (2, 4 and 6 h). They

135