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 nitriding can be used in many applications, but some are so unique that they can be called “the best” applications, where the competitive treatments such as salt bath and gas nitriding cannot easily duplicate the unique results of ion nitriding.

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 and Nitrocarburizing are performed at lower temperatures than conventional heat treatments, which minimizes distortion.

These heat treatments improve wear resistance, fatigue strength, and corrosion resistance.

Nitriding/Nitrocarburizing Types:

• Ion Nitriding (Plasma Nitriding / Nitrocarburizing)
• Gas Nitriding (Gaseous Nitrocarburizing)
• Salt-Bath Nitriding (Liquid)

Photo of Ion Nitriding:

For more information on these heat treatments, visit www.ahtweb.com