Characterization of surface hardened layers on Q235 low-carbon steel treated by plasma electrolytic borocarburizing

The Q235 low-carbon steel was hardened by plasma electrolytic borocarburizing (PEB/C) process. Surface borocarburizing was carried out in 15% borax aqueous solution with glycerin additive at 290 V under different treating time. The hardened layers on Q235 low-carbon steel were analyzed by SEM, XRD and microhardness test. Corrosion behavior of PEB/C layers was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy....