FORMATION OF CHROMIUM SILICIDE FILMS ON STEEL BY DISPROPORTIONATION REACTION IN MOLTEN-SALTS

The characterization of chromium silicide films and the formation proc ess by disproportionation reaction in molten salts are investigated. T he films were performed on steel by two step treatment process of molt en salt with KCl, BaCl2, NaF, metal halide and metal powder. Chromium carbide films were formed on a substrate at first step and chromium si licide films were formed at second step. The films performed at less t han 800-degrees-C mainly consists of CrSi2 and a slight SiC and is goo d hardness about more than 2 200 Hv and high corrosion resistance. The hardness of films performed at 900-degrees-C was, however, lower. Thi s two step treatment of molten salt method makes it possible to form t he intermetallic compound films, even if any component elements of tho se films do not exist in substrate.