Influence of Nitrocarburizing Process Parameters on the Development of Surface Roughness and Layer Formation

E-ISSN： 1662-9795|2016|674|325-330

ISSN： 1013-9826

Source： Key Engineering Materials, Vol.2016, Iss.674, 2016-02, pp. : 325-330

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Abstract

Nitriding of tools and engineering components is a well-established surface modification procedure in many industries to ensure operational efficiency. The focus of this work is laid on understanding the influence of nitriding processing technology on the resulting surface properties which strongly dominate its tribological performance. Therefore, nitriding layers based on salt bath and plasma procedure were realised using 31CrMoV9 substrate. The surface roughness before nitriding was set to a R_a value of ~0.16 μm which corresponds to at technically fine grinded surface. 3D measurements as well as SEM micrographs of the nitrided surfaces were compared to the original surface prior to the nitriding procedure. Additionally, cross-section microscopy and hardness depth profiles were done to describe nitriding layer structure and nitriding hardness depth (NHD). Results show a correlation of nitriding processing parameters with the resulting compound layer formation and nitriding hardening depth (NHD). An increase of surface roughness during nitriding can be correlated with the growth of ɛ-nitrides on top of the surface.