Carbonitriding

Carbonitriding is a diffusion-hardening process for ferrous metals in which both carbon and nitrogen are introduced into the workpiece surface by heating the workpiece while in contact with a gas or liquid containing carbon and nitrogen.

Process Characteristics

Surface hardens work materials
Workpieces are heated in a carbon and nitrogen atmosphere or a cyanide bath
Produces thin, very hard surface layers of uniform depth
Little workpiece warpage results
Case hardness is maintained at elevated operating temperatures
Has a maximum case depth of 0.030 in.
Produces better surface wear characteristics than carburizing

BACK

Information provided is from Manufacturing Processes Reference Guide by Robert H. Todd, Dell K. Allen, and Leo Alting.--1st ed. Published by Industrial Press Inc., 1994.