Nitriding Service

Nitriding Heat Treating Services for Metal Precision Parts

Nitriding is a surface hardening process in which nitrogen atoms are diffused into the surface of ferrous materials at sub-critical temperatures and react with the base metal to form a hard, wear resistant, and fatigue resistant nitrided case below the surface. The combination of subcritical temperatures, minimal distortion, and protective atmospheres make nitriding a good choice for precision parts.

Applicable Nitriding Service Materials

Most ferrous materials can be nitrided in theory, but the process is most effective when applied to alloy steels containing nitride-forming elements such as Cr, Al, Mo, V, W, and Ti. The best response in terms of hardness is realized when these "nitriding steels" are selected for the process as the nitrogen that enters the surface is able to form alloy nitride precipitates and increase the hardness of the case. The most commonly used nitriding steels include 4130, 4140, 4150, 4340, Nitralloy 135, and 8640. Other chrome and chrome-vanadium steels such as the 51xx, 52xx, 61xx families also are good candidates for nitriding. Tool steels are also nitrided and the most frequently nitrided tool steels are H-1, H-13 hot work, D-2 cold work, and P-type mold steels. High speed tool steels may also be nitrided. Stainless steel may also be nitrided (formerly called malcomizing) where an extra chemical surface activation step must be employed prior to nitriding.  Some nickel-based superalloys are also candidates for nitriding as well.

Nitriding Service Features

  • Superior wear resistance
  • Excellent anti-galling, anti-welding and anti-seizing properties
  • Improved fatigue life
  • High hardness (700-1000 HV depending on material being treated)
  • Case depths typically .005″ to .030″ deep depending on material being treated and cycle selected
  • Able to retain high hardness up to service temperatures of 1000° F

Nitriding Service Applications

  • Forging dies / Die-casting dies
  • Extrusion dies
  • Gears
  • Shafts
  • Splines
  • Bearings
  • Feed screws
  • Extrusion dies
  • Spray nozzles
  • Orifice disks
  • Valves
  • Cylinder liners
  • Piston rings

Industrial Heat Treating Overview
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