Nitriding of Fe-Cr-Mo sintered steels

Plasma nitriding was applied to Fe-Cr-Mo and Fe-Cr-Mo-C alloys with differe nt Cr content and microstructure. Chromium allows a hard and controlled dif fusion layer to be obtained, almost independent of the microstructure. Inte resting results in terms of wear resistance and impact resistance were obta ined by nitriding the as sintered carbon alloyed material. Analogous result s were obtained by conventional quenching and stress relieving. The two tre atments may constitute alternative solutions for the production of sintered components subjected to contact Hertzian stresses or fatigue.