Ion nitriding

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Plasma nitriding (Ion nitriding) is a plasma supported thermochemical case hardening process used to increase wear resistance, surface hardness and fatigue by generation of a hard layer including compressive stresses. Benefits The advantages of gaseous nitriding processes can be surpassed by plasma nitriding. Particularly when applied to higher alloyed steels, plasma nitriding imparts a high surface hardness which promotes high resistance to wear, scuffing, galling and seizure. Fatigue strength is increased mainly by the development of surface compressive stresses. Plasma nitriding is a smart choice whenever parts are required to have both nitrided and soft areas. The possibility of generating a compound layer free diffusion layer is often used in plasma nitriding prior to PVD or CVD coating. Tailor made layers and hardness profiles can be achieved. Application & materials Typical applications include gears, crankshafts, camshafts, cam followers, valve parts, extruder screws, pressure-die-casting tools, forging dies, cold forming tools, injectors and plastic-mould tools, long shafts, axis, clutch and engine parts. Plasma nitriding and plasma nitrocarburising are often preferred to the corresponding gas processes if masking is required. Plasma nitriding is suitable for all ferrous materials, even sintered steels with higher porosity, cast iron and high alloyed tool steels even with chromium contents higher than 12%. Stainless steels and nickel based alloys can be plasma nitrided and keep most of their corrosion resistance if low temperatures are applied. Special applications are plasma nitriding of titanium and aluminium alloys.