Polymer-derived ceramic diffusion process for ferrous metal surfaces

Abstract

A polymer-derived composition and method for providing a ceramic-based precursor coating on a metal surface are disclosed. The composition comprises one or more preceramic polymers admixed with one or more metal particulates. The composition is integrally disposed on and within the metal surface of a metal part through pressure-assisted pyrolysis of a metal particulate-filled preceramic polymer under appropriate conditions, thereby providing a corrosion-resistant and oxidation-resistant metal surface. The precursor coating composition is applied and dried onto the metal surface. The coated steel material is then hot stamped at a pre-defined temperature under a time and pressure conditions sufficient to pyrolyze precursor coating composition to form a protective coating on the surface of the steel. The coated steel material is then cooled. Further, the hot stamping is performed in a period of no more than 1 minute and at a temperature controlled at 400-800° C.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.