There are many different processes that can be used in the hardening of metal parts and components. Choosing the correct solution not only improves the performance of the part once it is in use, but it can also be highly effective in reducing the cost of the production of the part and providing a superior product.
In applications where there is considerable wear and tear on the part or component, such as gears, extrusion dies, parts on grinding or machining equipment, crankshafts and other types of similar parts, nitrocarburizing is often the best hardening process to consider. Typically taking only a few hours, it is a good solution for a large volume hardening process.
How It Works
The nitrocarburizing process is not too dissimilar to the process used in nitriding. It is considered a thermochemical process and it uses both heat and the presence of nitrogen and carbon to create a diffusion layer on the surface of the part. In addition to the nitrogen and carbon, there is also a small amount of oxygen and the result in a shallow hardened layer on the surface of the part or component.
The Benefits
The amount of heat used in nitrocarburizing is very low, so there is an extremely limited risk of any type of distortion during the process, even with parts and components that have not been prehardened.
The surface layer created by the process is not as thick as found with nitriding, but it is also faster and has a lower cost. Once the process is completed, the part has increased resistance to corrosion and increased resistance to wear. The fatigue strength of the party is also improved. In most applications, the final look of the part is more uniform, and many OEMs do not further treat the surface after the process is complete.
