In this process boron atoms are diffused into the surface of a metal component.
[1] Boronized metal parts are extremely wear resistant and will often last two to five times longer than components treated with conventional heat treatments such as hardening, carburizing, nitriding, nitrocarburizing or induction hardening.
Nickel-based superalloys such as Inconel and Hastalloys will typically have nickel boride layer hardnesses of 1700-2300 HV.
Typical boriding mixture consists of boron carbide powder diluted with other refractory materials.
[1] Boride layer depths can range from 0.001 - 0.015 inches (25.4 - 380 μm) depending on base material selection and treatment.