FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS OF THE COMBINATION OF PLASMA NITROCARBURIZING AND OXIDIZING

With the so-called IONIT(R)OX process, a combined plasma nitrocarburiz ing and oxidizing, iron based materials, especially non-alloyed steel, had been treated. It is shown that the oxidation of the nitrocarburiz ed layers lead to a significant improvement of the corrosion resistanc e. The basic fundamentals of the formation of the oxide layer on nitro carburized surfaces are discussed. The results of metallographic exami nations explain the technological figures. Inspections of the oxide la yer growth kinetics show a parabolic law. The growth rate depends on t he oxidation temperature. Properties of plasma nitrocarburized and fur ther oxidized components are summarized. Examples are given which demo nstrate the wide range of potential applications. (C) 1998 Published b y Elsevier Science S.A.