Innovative boron-based technologies for long-lasting tools and high-performance components in applications subject to heavy wear

Challenge

Tools and components used in metal forming, mechanical engineering, the energy sector, and aerospace are frequently exposed to wear, corrosion, and high thermal stresses. While conventional boriding processes offer great potential for extending service life, they face limitations in terms of process control, resource efficiency, and applicability to complex component geometries.

Solution

In the BoWear project, the processes of gas boriding, laser boriding, and chemical boriding are being further developed and systematically compared for steels and high-performance materials such as nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum alloys. The Fraunhofer IST contributes its expertise in boriding technology, surface analysis, and tribological evaluation. By characterizing the resulting boride layers and conducting extensive investigations into hardness, friction, wear, corrosion, and high-temperature properties, the project determines the potential and application limits of these processes.

Added Value

BoWear lays the foundation for longer-lasting and higher-performance tools and components in applications subject to heavy wear. Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, benefit from reliable comparative data on the performance, costs, and potential applications of modern boriding technologies. The results facilitate the selection of suitable surface treatment solutions and pave the way for their industrial application.