Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing

Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing

Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing are a category of processes whereby nitrogen (and carbon) is diffused into the surface of metals to create a hardened case for improved wear resistance. IBC Coatings Technologies offers both ion plasma nitriding and salt bath nitriding.

Submersible Pump Shafts
Submersible Pump Shafts

Benefits of Nitriding:

IBC’s Equipment

ProcessProcess Temperature (°C)Thickness (microns)Hardness (HV)CoF (Dry on Steel)Applications
Ion Plasma Nitriding per AMS-2759/8DHIN400-55025-500500-12000.5Die casting, wear resistance, fatigue resistance, forging
Low Temperature Ion Plasma NitridingDHIN S-phase300-4501-20900-12000.5Wear resistance for stainless steels while maintaining corrosion resistance
Ion Plasma Ferritic NitrocarburizingDHIN FNC540-6005-12500-12000.5Wear resistance for mild steels
Ion Plasma Nitriding with Post-OxidationDHIN w/ Post-OxCan be applied after any DHIN processCorrosion resistance, black appearance
Salt Bath Nitriding for Forging DiesDHSN55025-250500-12000.5Wear resistance for forging dies
High Temperature Solution NitridingHTSN1060-1120100+300-7000.5Wear resistance for stainless steels while maintaining corrosion resistance

Process Descriptions:

Ion plasma nitriding (DHIN) is a surface hardening process that uses a glow discharge to diffuse nitrogen ions into the surface of the material. As compared to gas nitriding, plasma nitriding enables higher final core hardnesses and very low levels of dimensional distortion due to the relatively low temperatures.

Low temperature ion plasma nitriding or “S-Phase nitriding” (DHIN S-Phase), is a type of plasma nitriding specifically designed for stainless steels and iron superalloys. It is performed at low temperatures 300-450°C, preventing the formation of chromium nitrides which are detrimental to the material’s corrosion properties.

Ion plasma ferritic nitrocarburizing (DHIN FNC) is a type of plasma nitriding whereby both nitrogen and carbon are diffused into the surface, mimicking other types of nitrocarburizing processes like salt bath and gas. It is used to generate thick white layer on mild steels.

Salt bath nitriding process (DHSN) is a thermochemical treatment whereby parts are immersed in a molten salt bath that diffuses nitriding into the material creating a hardened case. DHSN is IBC Coatings’ proprietary process designed specifically for forging dies.

High temperature solution nitriding (HTSN) is a nitriding process for stainless steels performed at or above the material’s austenitizing temperature. After nitrogen diffusion, the parts are rapidly quenched, locking the nitrogen in solution and preventing the formation of chromium nitrides which are detrimental to the material’s corrosion properties.