Nitriding
Nitriding is a thermochemical process in which nitrogen diffuses into the surface of a metal workpiece to improve its mechanical and physical properties. The process is typically carried out at elevated temperatures in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere. This results in the formation of a hard nitride layer on the metal surface, which increases the workpiece’s wear resistance, hardness, corrosion resistance, and fatigue strength.
NITRIDING PROCESS
gas nitriding
In gas nitriding, nitrogen is released from ammonia; at temperatures between 500°C and 600°C, this nitrogen penetrates the surface of the component, where it forms a wear-resistant nitride layer.
Plasma nitriding
In plasma nitriding, the surface layer of a workpiece is enriched with nitrogen in an ionized gas atmosphere. This results in clean component surfaces with significantly improved resistance to abrasion and wear.
Salt bath nitriding
In salt bath nitriding, the parts to be treated are immersed in a nitriding bath to increase their surface hardness and are then oxidized in a quenching bath.
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Silvio Stranek
Sales, Technical Consulting / Quotes (Upper Austria, Tyrol, Salzburg, Vorarlberg, Bavaria, South Tyrol)
Email. s.stranek@htr.at
Phone: +43 (0) 664 / 88 92 78 10
Thomas Stadlober
Sales, Technical Consulting / Quotes (Styria, Vienna, Lower Austria, Carinthia, Slovenia)
Email. t.stadlober@htr.at
Phone: +43 (0) 664 / 88 64 15 06
A Comparison of Nitriding Processes
| Criterion | gas nitriding | Plasma nitriding (ion nitriding) | Salt bath nitriding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | ammonia gas | Low-pressure plasma with nitrogen | Nitrogen-containing molten salt |
| Temperature range | approx. 500–580°C | approx. 480–580°C | approx. 570–590°C |
| Layer structure | Bonding layer + diffusion zone | Can be controlled with great precision | Bonding layer + diffusion zone |
| Coating thickness | approx. 0.1–0.7 mm | approx. 0.01–0.6 mm | approx. 0.01–0.3 mm |
| Hardness (HV) | up to approx. 1100 HV | up to approx. 1200 HV | up to approx. 1000 HV |
| Distortion / Dimensional Stability | low | very low | low |
| Surface quality | slightly roughened | very smooth | smooth, may require further treatment |
| Suitable for | Mass production, large-volume parts | Complex geometries, precision parts | Small parts in bulk, tools |
| Controllability | limited | very precise | limited |
| Environmental friendliness | medium | high | low |
| Typical applications | Gears, crankshafts, shafts | Precision parts, tools, medical technology | Bolts, screws, small-batch production |
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As one of the leading hardening companies,we are your reliable partner for industrial heat treatment. For over 25 years we have been hardening steel and other metals using state-of-the-art processes – dimension-stable, wear-resistant, and reproducible. Whether individual parts or series production: we combine expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and process controlto achieve the highest hardness quality and warp resistance .
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Your Questions, Answered
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand our services.
What is nitriding?
Nitriding is a thermochemical heat treatment processin which nitrogen is introduced into the surface of a metal part. The goal is to increase the hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the workpiece.
Why should I nitride my materials?
Materials are hardened to improve their properties. Hardening alters the internal structure of the material, resulting in increased strength, hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. This enables the material to perform better under stress and wear. Hardening is therefore an important process in many fields, such as the manufacture of tools, machine parts, and automotive components.
What are the benefits of nitriding?
– Highersurface hardness
– Improvedwear protection
– Increasedcorrosion resistance
– Increasedfatigue strength
– Minimalwarpingof theworkpiece due to low process temperature
For which materials is nitriding suitable?
Nitriding is particularly suitable for nitridable steelsthat contain alloying elements such as chromium, molybdenum, aluminum or vanadium . Some stainless steels and cast irons can also be treated.
What nitriding processes are available?
The three most common methods are:
– Gas nitriding: nitrogen supply via ammonia gas
– Plasma nitriding (ion nitriding): Use of plasma to facilitate nitrogen diffusion
– Salt bath nitriding: Treatment in nitrogen-containing molten salts
How thick is the nitriding layer?
The nitriding layer can range from 10 µm and over 600 µm . The depth of the diffusion zone is influenced by treatment time, temperature, and material.
Will the component warp during nitriding?
No—one of the biggest advantages of nitriding is the minimal dimensional change. Since the process is carried out at relatively low temperatures, the risk of warping or deformation is very low.
How long does a nitriding process take?
The duration of the process depends on the desired layer depth, the material , and the selected nitriding process . Typically, the treatment between 10 and 80 hours.