A Model of Vanadium Carbide Growth on Steel Surfaces Obtained by Thermo Reactive Deposition

In this article, the mathematical model of vanadium carbide growth was established on the basis of principles of physical chemistry. Based on the results of the experimental work and literature data, the assumption that the speed of the process is proportional to the thermodynamic activity of carbon in the austenite has been proven. An analysis of the relationship between the thickness of the vanadium carbide layer and the salt bath temperature, immersion time, and chemical composition of the substrate was conducted. A comparison of the model-calculated values and the results obtained by the experiment indicates that the model has been properly founded.