Spinel Ferrites Nanoparticles For Alloy Steel Protective Layers

Covering layers might have very important role in improving performance of many mechanical parts. These layers are usually designed to protect a substrate from the environment and enhance mechanical properties such as hardness. Blackening is a classical approach that is very demanding on resources. This process is based on the alkalisation of surface atoms and the transformation of formed hydroxides to oxides. Such an approach inspired us to carry out experiments resulting in preparation of protective layers with similar properties, by using stoichiometric spinel ferrite nanoparticles (MeFe2O4). Thus mechanical parts were covered with ferrite nanoparticles and heated in a furnace. Ferrite samples, which were used as precursor for the preparation of layers, were analysed with X-ray powder diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy. The samples were analysed with ultrasonic hardness test, electron microscopy, and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The protection layers showed a higher hardness compared to untreated parts.