Abstract: Ferrous alloys and methods of forming the ferrous alloys are disclosed. A ferrous alloy material may include iron and boron and an outer case layer. The outer case layer may have an average grain size of ASTM 9 or finer and may have a case thickness of at least 0.001 inches. The boron concentration of the outer case layer may be greater than a boron concentration of a core of the material. The ferrous alloy material may also include a nitrogen scavenging agent and may have a nitrogen concentration in the outer case layer that is greater than a nitrogen concentration in the core of the material. The alloy may be formed by performing a carburizing step and a nitriding step above the upper critical temperature on a boron steel. The method may include a single heat and quench cycle.

Abstract: Ferrous alloys and methods of forming the ferrous alloys are disclosed. A ferrous alloy material may include iron and boron and an outer case layer. The outer case layer may have an average grain size of ASTM 9 or finer and may have a case thickness of at least 0.001 inches. The boron concentration of the outer case layer may be greater than a boron concentration of a core of the material. The ferrous alloy material may also include a nitrogen scavenging agent and may have a nitrogen concentration in the outer case layer that is greater than a nitrogen concentration in the core of the material. The alloy may be formed by performing a carburizing step and a nitriding step above the upper critical temperature on a boron steel. The method may include a single heat and quench cycle.