History of Ion Nitriding
The history of ion nitriding dates back to its birth in 1932. A German physicist, Dr. Wehnheldt, was the first to develop ion nitriding; however, he was unable to control the glow discharge. By teaming up with the Swiss physicist, Dr. Bernhard Berghaus, they were able to develop ion nitriding into a usable, stabilized process. After WWII, electronics, plus the need for more superior metallurgical properties, contributed to increased popularity of ion nitriding among American industrialists. Dr. Claude Jones, Dr. Derek Sturges, and Stuart Martin helped advance ion nitriding in America by applying the process to a variety of parts as well as building the first ion nitrider in the U.S. As success stories filtered through American industry during the 1980’s, ion nitriding became a respected, preferred process for many manufacturers. Today, ion nitriding remains a favored heat treating process, and it continues to develop as the industry pushes for even more efficient, economical and environmentally safe heat treating process.
When and Why Ion Nitriding/Nitrocarburizing Makes Good Sense
When and Why Ion Nitriding/Nitrocarburizing Makes Good Sense
Advanced Heat Treat staff Dr. Edward Roliński and Gary Sharp authored this article from Industrial Heating magazine, August 11, 2005:
Ion, or plasma, nitriding has been studied and used industrially for more than 40 years [1-8], but the technology has not been used to its full potential. Ion nitriding/nitrocarburizing is a low temperature (800-1100˚F, or 430-595˚C) process, which results in little or no distortion of the treated parts even if significant residual compressive stress is induced to the surface layer of the treated products. The ion nitriding process also has been referred to by other surface treating characteristics including plasma, vacuum, diffusion, low nitriding potential, passive surfaces activating, easy-to-control structure and pollution-free processes. These process characteristics with the exception of the low nitriding potential concept are discussed in the literature.”
Click here to read the entire article:
http://www.industrialheating.com/Articles/Feature_Article/f022e50797cb7010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0
Learn more about the authors here www.ahtweb.com
Gas Nitriding/Gas Nitrocarburizing
Gas Nitriding or Gas Nitrocarburizing is a case-hardening process whereby nitrogen is introduced into the surface of a solid ferrous alloy by holding the metal at a suitable temperature in contact with a nitrogenous gas, usually ammonia.
Benefits include:
- Extends part/tool life
- Adds performance, fatigue strength and endurance
- Enhances surface lubricity
- Reduces erosion
- Increases material flow in molds and dies
- Improves corrosion resistance
- No post-process machining
- Improves wear resistance
- Zero to minimal growth/distortion
- Precise and versatile
- Phase controllable compound zone
Recommended for:
- Stainless steels
- Tool steels
- Powdered metals
- Medium carbon steels
Learn more at: www.ahtweb.com
Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing
Nitriding/Nitrocarburizing Types:
- Ion Nitriding (Plasma Nitriding / Nitrocarburizing)
- Gas Nitriding (Gaseous Nitrocarburizing)
- Salt-Bath Nitriding (Liquid)
Photo of Ion Nitriding:
Induction Hardening
The Burton facility in Waterloo, IA is the oldest Advanced Heat Treat Corp. location and specializes in UltraGlow Induction Hardening, Carburizing, Carbonitriding, Stress Relieve, Quench & Temper/Through Hardening, Annealing, Normalizing, Cold Treatment, Oxidation Treatment, Duplex Hardening, Assembly, Cleaning Applications, and MUCH MORE! Here’s a photo of a part being induction heated:
Induction hardening is a method of heating electrically conductive materials to a temperature within or above its transformation range by means of a varying magnetic field. This process generates a voltage which has the ability to create and electric current that dispels energy and produces heat by flowing against the resistance of an imperfect conductor. After the metal is heated, it is immediately quenched. Induction hardening results in a hardened case while the core of the part remains unaffected.
Conventional Heat Treatments
Case Depth Terms
When applying a heat treatment, such as ion nitriding, to a part, it is important to know the following case depth terms:
Effective Case Depth (ECD):
The distance from the surface of a hardened case where a specified level of hardness is maintained (typically 50 HRC eqv.).
Total Case Depth (TCD):
The distance from the surface of a hardened case to a point where differences in physical properties of the case and core are no longer distinguished (visual or hardness method).
For example:
For more information, visit www.ahtweb.com.
What is Heat Treat?
Heat treat is a process in which a material is heated and/or cooled in a particular manner to alter its mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, yield strength and fatigue strength. Learn more at www.ahtweb.com.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from Advanced Heat Treat Corp.! We wish you and your families safe travels this holiday season and the juiciest turkey you can find! 
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