Surface hardening

Chemical heat treatment

changes of the chemical composition to get different

properties of surface layer as in core of the piece

– higher hardness, better wear or corrosion resistance, …

Saturation of surface with one or more elements

controlled by diffusion processes environment  piece

time and temperature dependence

 Case-hardening

Carburizing (saturation and diffusion period),

quenching and low temperature tempering.
Carburizing is proceed in case of 99 % in atmosphere
using temperature between 900 °C and 950 °C
Main process parameters: temperature, time and
saturation potential of atmosphere.

2CO  CO2 + C

Subsequent quenching to achieve martensitic structure

in carburized layer
Standard tempering parameters (150 ÷ 200) °C / 2 h / air.
 Carbonitriding (cyaniding)

carburizing process in atmosphere containing minor

addition of nitrogen (e.g. 5 % NH3). Common
parameters are:

- temperature of process: 860 – 870°C

- optimal thickness 0,25 - 0,5 mm,
- time for carbonitriding: 2 - 5 hours,
- subsequential quenching in oil or warm bath (160°C)
- tempering at a low temperature.
 Nitriding
• saturation with nitrogen 2NH3  2N + 3H2
• nitriding temperature: 500 – 600°C
• typical nitriding case depth 0,5 mm.
• time of process: 0,3mm - 20 hours, 0,5 mm – 60 hours
• hardness of the layer may exceed 1000 HV.
• steel must contain chemical element creating nitrides
(Al, Cr, Mo, V).
 Nitrocarburizing

Nitriding process in an atmosphere containing minor

addition of carbon (≈ 10 % some hydrocarbon gas
like propane).

Temperature of process: 570 – 620°C,

growing rate of nitrocarburized layer:

4 hours  0,05 mm.
Hardness of the layer is close to 1000 HV.

The diffusion layer with hardness of 300 – 400 HV is

developed under the surface in depth of 0,3 – 0,5mm.
This layer improves ultimate load of surface and
fatigue resistance of the piece.
1. nitrocarburizing
2. nitriding
3. carbonitriding
4. case hardening
(carburizing)
5. face hardening
 Thermomechanical treatment

(effect of temperature and deformation)

control of final structure and mechanical properties

High temperature mechanical treatment

deformation in region of stable austenite
followed by quenching and low tempering
Low temperature mechanical treatment
deformation in region of metastable austenite followed
by quenching and low tempering

Isoforming
deformation during isothermal pearlite transformation
a) ausforming-low temperature
mechanical treatment;

b) high temperature mechanical treatment;

c) isoforming transformation

Result: fine martensite with

strength 1000 – 2000 MPa

Isoforming - very fine ferrite

subgrains (after recovery)