Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges

Emmanuel Ikechukwu Uyaelumuo; Obiora Clement Okafor; Chidozie Chukwuemeka Nwobi-Okoye; Vincent Chukwuemeka Ezechukwu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13

Review Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges

Emmanuel Ikechukwu Uyaelumuo

, Obiora Clement Okafor^*

, Chidozie Chukwuemeka Nwobi-Okoye

, Vincent Chukwuemeka Ezechukwu

Published in American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 1)

Received: 22 December 2025 Accepted: 12 January 2026 Published: 20 February 2026

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Abstract

Boriding, or boronizing, is a thermochemical surface treatment that enhances the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion properties of austenitic stainless steels such as AISI 304, 316, and 316L, which are widely used in biomedical, nuclear, and chemical applications despite their inherent limitations in tribological performance. This review synthesizes over 60 peer-reviewed articles to examine recent advances in solid-state boriding technologies, specifically powder-pack and paste boriding methods, highlighting their mechanisms, process parameters, and impacts on tribological integrity, mechanical properties, and corrosion mitigation. Key classifications of boriding operations are discussed, including physical and chemical processes, with emphasis on overcoming diffusion barriers posed by high Cr and Ni content in these steels. The review details the compositions of boriding agents, schematic configurations for practical implementation, and comparative advantages of paste boriding over powder-pack methods, such as selective application and energy efficiency. Challenges, including oxidation risks, inconsistent layer formation, and process optimization, are critically analyzed alongside progress in achieving boride layers (FeB and Fe₂B) with superior hardness exceeding 2000 HV. The findings underscore boriding's potential to extend component service life in demanding environments, while identifying gaps for future research to enhance industrial scalability and environmental sustainability.

Published in	American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13
Page(s)	18-33
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Powder-pack Boriding, Paste Boriding, Mechanical Properties, Tribological Properties, Corrosion Properties, Boride Layer

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Uyaelumuo, E. I., Okafor, O. C., Nwobi-Okoye, C. C., Ezechukwu, V. C. (2026). Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges. American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, 10(1), 18-33. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13

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Uyaelumuo, E. I.; Okafor, O. C.; Nwobi-Okoye, C. C.; Ezechukwu, V. C. Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges. Am. J. Mech. Mater. Eng. 2026, 10(1), 18-33. doi: 10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13

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Uyaelumuo EI, Okafor OC, Nwobi-Okoye CC, Ezechukwu VC. Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges. Am J Mech Mater Eng. 2026;10(1):18-33. doi: 10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13,
  author = {Emmanuel Ikechukwu Uyaelumuo and Obiora Clement Okafor and Chidozie Chukwuemeka Nwobi-Okoye and Vincent Chukwuemeka Ezechukwu},
  title = {Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges},
  journal = {American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {18-33},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajmme.20261001.13},
  abstract = {Boriding, or boronizing, is a thermochemical surface treatment that enhances the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion properties of austenitic stainless steels such as AISI 304, 316, and 316L, which are widely used in biomedical, nuclear, and chemical applications despite their inherent limitations in tribological performance. This review synthesizes over 60 peer-reviewed articles to examine recent advances in solid-state boriding technologies, specifically powder-pack and paste boriding methods, highlighting their mechanisms, process parameters, and impacts on tribological integrity, mechanical properties, and corrosion mitigation. Key classifications of boriding operations are discussed, including physical and chemical processes, with emphasis on overcoming diffusion barriers posed by high Cr and Ni content in these steels. The review details the compositions of boriding agents, schematic configurations for practical implementation, and comparative advantages of paste boriding over powder-pack methods, such as selective application and energy efficiency. Challenges, including oxidation risks, inconsistent layer formation, and process optimization, are critically analyzed alongside progress in achieving boride layers (FeB and Fe2B) with superior hardness exceeding 2000 HV. The findings underscore boriding's potential to extend component service life in demanding environments, while identifying gaps for future research to enhance industrial scalability and environmental sustainability.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges
AU  - Emmanuel Ikechukwu Uyaelumuo
AU  - Obiora Clement Okafor
AU  - Chidozie Chukwuemeka Nwobi-Okoye
AU  - Vincent Chukwuemeka Ezechukwu
Y1  - 2026/02/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13
T2  - American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
SP  - 18
EP  - 33
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2639-9652
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13
AB  - Boriding, or boronizing, is a thermochemical surface treatment that enhances the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion properties of austenitic stainless steels such as AISI 304, 316, and 316L, which are widely used in biomedical, nuclear, and chemical applications despite their inherent limitations in tribological performance. This review synthesizes over 60 peer-reviewed articles to examine recent advances in solid-state boriding technologies, specifically powder-pack and paste boriding methods, highlighting their mechanisms, process parameters, and impacts on tribological integrity, mechanical properties, and corrosion mitigation. Key classifications of boriding operations are discussed, including physical and chemical processes, with emphasis on overcoming diffusion barriers posed by high Cr and Ni content in these steels. The review details the compositions of boriding agents, schematic configurations for practical implementation, and comparative advantages of paste boriding over powder-pack methods, such as selective application and energy efficiency. Challenges, including oxidation risks, inconsistent layer formation, and process optimization, are critically analyzed alongside progress in achieving boride layers (FeB and Fe2B) with superior hardness exceeding 2000 HV. The findings underscore boriding's potential to extend component service life in demanding environments, while identifying gaps for future research to enhance industrial scalability and environmental sustainability.
VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Emmanuel Ikechukwu Uyaelumuo

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-8449-2789
Obiora Clement Okafor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4900-6580
Chidozie Chukwuemeka Nwobi-Okoye

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1330-5543
Vincent Chukwuemeka Ezechukwu

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-7560-0053

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APA Style

Uyaelumuo, E. I., Okafor, O. C., Nwobi-Okoye, C. C., Ezechukwu, V. C. (2026). Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges. American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, 10(1), 18-33. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13

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ACS Style

Uyaelumuo, E. I.; Okafor, O. C.; Nwobi-Okoye, C. C.; Ezechukwu, V. C. Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges. Am. J. Mech. Mater. Eng. 2026, 10(1), 18-33. doi: 10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13

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AMA Style

Uyaelumuo EI, Okafor OC, Nwobi-Okoye CC, Ezechukwu VC. Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges. Am J Mech Mater Eng. 2026;10(1):18-33. doi: 10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13,
  author = {Emmanuel Ikechukwu Uyaelumuo and Obiora Clement Okafor and Chidozie Chukwuemeka Nwobi-Okoye and Vincent Chukwuemeka Ezechukwu},
  title = {Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges},
  journal = {American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {18-33},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajmme.20261001.13},
  abstract = {Boriding, or boronizing, is a thermochemical surface treatment that enhances the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion properties of austenitic stainless steels such as AISI 304, 316, and 316L, which are widely used in biomedical, nuclear, and chemical applications despite their inherent limitations in tribological performance. This review synthesizes over 60 peer-reviewed articles to examine recent advances in solid-state boriding technologies, specifically powder-pack and paste boriding methods, highlighting their mechanisms, process parameters, and impacts on tribological integrity, mechanical properties, and corrosion mitigation. Key classifications of boriding operations are discussed, including physical and chemical processes, with emphasis on overcoming diffusion barriers posed by high Cr and Ni content in these steels. The review details the compositions of boriding agents, schematic configurations for practical implementation, and comparative advantages of paste boriding over powder-pack methods, such as selective application and energy efficiency. Challenges, including oxidation risks, inconsistent layer formation, and process optimization, are critically analyzed alongside progress in achieving boride layers (FeB and Fe2B) with superior hardness exceeding 2000 HV. The findings underscore boriding's potential to extend component service life in demanding environments, while identifying gaps for future research to enhance industrial scalability and environmental sustainability.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Advances in Solid-State Boriding of AISI 304, 316, and 316L Stainless Steels: Progress and Challenges
AU  - Emmanuel Ikechukwu Uyaelumuo
AU  - Obiora Clement Okafor
AU  - Chidozie Chukwuemeka Nwobi-Okoye
AU  - Vincent Chukwuemeka Ezechukwu
Y1  - 2026/02/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13
T2  - American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
SP  - 18
EP  - 33
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2639-9652
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmme.20261001.13
AB  - Boriding, or boronizing, is a thermochemical surface treatment that enhances the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion properties of austenitic stainless steels such as AISI 304, 316, and 316L, which are widely used in biomedical, nuclear, and chemical applications despite their inherent limitations in tribological performance. This review synthesizes over 60 peer-reviewed articles to examine recent advances in solid-state boriding technologies, specifically powder-pack and paste boriding methods, highlighting their mechanisms, process parameters, and impacts on tribological integrity, mechanical properties, and corrosion mitigation. Key classifications of boriding operations are discussed, including physical and chemical processes, with emphasis on overcoming diffusion barriers posed by high Cr and Ni content in these steels. The review details the compositions of boriding agents, schematic configurations for practical implementation, and comparative advantages of paste boriding over powder-pack methods, such as selective application and energy efficiency. Challenges, including oxidation risks, inconsistent layer formation, and process optimization, are critically analyzed alongside progress in achieving boride layers (FeB and Fe2B) with superior hardness exceeding 2000 HV. The findings underscore boriding's potential to extend component service life in demanding environments, while identifying gaps for future research to enhance industrial scalability and environmental sustainability.
VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download