Effect of carbon on the nature of the layers formed during ion-nitriding

Abstract

PlaIn carbon at"els of diff",rent C/1lCOOncontent" have been 100- nitrided in the temperature rQngc of 475-sasoc in a 75 HZ: 25 N2 gas mixt~re to ~tudy the eft~ct of carbon on the nature of the layo,'." formaci. during lon-nitriding. l'he effects have been studied by 01',:10a1 meta llography and lIIi<:rohardnes5 Illeaslu:ement techniques. Opb<;al lIletalloyral-'hic studir..'s on triHlbVUn;c s""tiOllS of the i()n-nit~ lded samples have shol.m that the thickness of compound laye!" :l-ncreases with increasing c<lrbou content J.n the bteels. Microhardneas rn~asurements on the surface of the nltrided samples wer", p,,-rformed <lud also the hardn",sll versus penetration distane," prnLites of tnt! ion-nitrided samples were determilled. l,'rom the hardllus<,-penetratiun d_istancu profile!; it has been observed thelt the case-depth l i.e. the dq,th of nitrogen penetration into th" specimens) decr<:Hises with incre ••sing carbon content in tho stoci.