Nitrocarburising is a specialised variation of the case hardening process. It is a thermochemical diffusion technique where nitrogen, carbon, and a small amount of oxygen atoms penetrate the surface of a steel part, creating a compound layer on the surface and a diffusion layer beneath it. As a shallow case hardening method, nitrocarburising primarily enhances the surface’s anti-wear properties and improves fatigue resistance. This process can be carried out in either a gas or molten salt environment, with the latter commonly known as ‘Tufftriding.’
The compound layer formed during nitrocarburising is wear and corrosion-resistant while avoiding the brittleness often associated with the nitriding process. Since this layer is crucial to the material’s enhanced properties, it should not be removed through subsequent machining. Beneath the compound layer, the diffusion layer significantly increases the component’s fatigue resistance, making it more durable under stress.
Nitrocarburising, or Tufftriding, offers several key benefits:
Nitrocarburising is advantageous for hardening materials that have not been pre-hardened. The relatively low temperature of the process ensures minimal distortion, making it suitable for various industries. Common applications include components in the oil and gas industry, valves, pumps, agricultural equipment, automotive parts, stamping, textiles, extrusion and injection moulding, and firearms.
Nitrocarburising can be applied to the same materials as nitriding and unalloyed steels, where enhanced wear resistance and improved fatigue resistance are desired at a lower cost. It is widely used for stamped components as an alternative to hard plating, offering a cost-effective solution with superior performance characteristics.
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