plasma/ion nitriding
what is plasma nitriding?
Plasma technology is primarily for stainless steel and other low alloy steels which are not suitable for a “standard” heat treatment process. The process uses a Plasma discharge of Hydrogen and Nitrogen gases both to heat the steel surfaces and to supply nitrogen ions for nitriding. Plasma nitriding is an established and successful process particularly important for precision machined parts. It is a heat treatment process that is used to improve wear-resistance, surface hardness and material fatigue.
the process
The process
takes place in a gas mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen. If necessary, a
carbon-donating gas can also be used. The necessary temperature is relatively
low. In addition, voltage is created between the wall of the furnace and its
chamber. This leads directly to the creation of an ionized atmosphere in the
furnace chamber, the so-called plasma. There, the ions hit the surface of the
component and generate nitrogen-rich nitrides. As soon as these disintegrate,
the surface of the material is enriched with atomic nitrogen. Depending on the
composition of the gas mixture, different surfaces and degrees of hardness can
be created.
fields of application
Plasma nitriding is suitable for all ferrous materials as well as for sintered steels, cast iron and high-alloy tool steels. This method is used especially when components are to contain nitrided and hardened areas as well as soft areas. Please note: If the process is carried out at particularly low temperatures, the corrosion protection does not change. Titanium and Nickel alloys are also Plasma Nitrided. The hard layer formed when Nitriding these materials tends to be relatively thin (<20 microns) but very hard and wear resistant.
This low temperature, low distortion process is used widely throughout the automotive, aerospace and general engineering sectors and a wide variety of applications. Commercially most common components are engine camshafts, engine crankshafts, and gears.
Components or parts are usually nitrided to make wear resistance. The advantages of Plasma/ Ion Nitriding include:
- The white compound layer can be minimized down to appropriate levels for the customer requirements.
- It is often used for finished parts – as no further machining is typically needed.
- The diffused layer will be only on the exposed parts (line of sight) of the component – (usually by mechanical masking).
- The opportunity to eliminate copper plate masking through use of simple mechanical masks.
- Mechanical masking is the best option for large batch components.
- Wear resistance is created by a diffused hard layer.
- The ability of to avoid dimensional change and deliver a uniform case on complex geometries.
- Improved fatigue properties: the process induces compressive stress, which will improve fatigue strength.
- No reduction in the core hardness of the base metal or alloy of the component.
- Completed on near finished components –e. requiring very minor (or zero) lapping, polishing or grinding.
- The potential for reducing scrap through precisely repeatable cycles.
- The opportunity to eliminate environmental pollution because there is no use of toxic salt or toxic gases.
groundbreaking industries we serve
process locations
Any questions? Contact us directly or select a process location near you.
Amboise
France 47.41544421.0245775 info.amboise@aalberts-st.com +33 247 2374 74 show locationAnderstorp
Sweden 57.265275813.615284 info.nordic@aalberts-st.com +46 371 58 71 70 show locationDunningen
Germany 48.2249668.5003521 info.dunningen@aalberts-st.com +49 7403 92907-0 show locationKehl
Germany 48.500157.82006 info.kehl@aalberts-st.com +49 7854 96470 show locationSoudan
France 47.7059027-1.3208699 info.soudan@aalberts-st.com +33 228040600 show locationBirmingham
United Kingdom 52.5108198-1.8767323 info.birmingham@aalberts-st.com +44 121 322 2280 show locationAtxondo (Pais Vasco)
Spain 43.136701799453-2.5944685935974 info.paisvasco@aalberts-st.com +34 946215590 show locationTelford
United Kingdom 52.7205556-2.4701772 info.telford@aalberts-st.com +44 1952 677372 show locationUnsere Verfahren
Wir bieten weltweit alle Arten von Wärmebehandlungsprozessen an. Unsere Anlagen sind logistisch eng miteinander verknüpft, so dass Ihnen alle Verfahren zur Verfügung stehen. Erfahren Sie mehr zu unseren Wärmebehandlungsverfahren.
Heiß-Isostatisches Pressen (HIP) dient der Beseitigung von Porosität. Sie benötigen bei Lötverbindungen eine hohe mechanische Haltbarkeit und Unempfindlichkeit bei hohen Temperaturen? Wir bei Aalberts surface technologies bieten die Lösung durch Hartlöten (brazing).
Polymerbeschichtungen können auf viele Grundmaterialien aufgebracht werden und bieten lang anhaltenden Schutz. Sie sind mechanisch besonders gut mit dem Untergrund verankert und bieten verbesserte Gleiteigenschaften und/oder hohe Verschleißfestigkeit.
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Fast alle metallischen Grundwerkstoffe können mit unseren selbstentwickelten und patentierten Verfahren durch Oberflächenbeschichtungen in ihren Eigenschaften optimiert werden, egal ob sie besonders hart, glatt, verschleißfest oder korrosionsbeständig sein sollen.
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We offer all types of heat treatment processes. Our facilities are closely interlinked in terms of logistics, which means that all processes are available to you. For a complete list and description of heat treatment technologies please select the button.
Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is used to eliminate porosity. Do you need high mechanical durability and insensitivity to high temperatures for solder joints? We at Aalberts surface technologies offer the solution through brazing.
Polymer coatings can be applied to a wide variety of base materials and offer long-lasting protection. They are particularly well anchored mechanically to the substrate. Additional enhancement layers allow non-stick coatings to be combined with improved sliding properties and/or high wear resistance.
With 40 years of experience in continuous reel to reel finishing, you can depend on Aalberts surface technologies to find innovative solutions that other companies might say are impossible. Our service includes barrel plating, continuous selective plating and rack plating.
Almost all metallic base materials can have their properties optimised by surface coatings using our proprietary and patented processes, regardless of whether they should be particularly hard, smooth, wear-resistant or corrosion-resistant.