Nitriding Furnace & Ovens

Product Introduction

Our Nitriding Furnaces & Ovens are state-of-the-art heat treatment systems designed for precise surface hardening of steel and other ferrous components. Nitriding is a thermochemical process that diffuses nitrogen into the surface of a metal to create a hard, wear-resistant case, significantly enhancing properties such as wear resistance, fatigue strength, and corrosion resistance. We offer various types of nitriding furnaces, including gas nitriding (using ammonia gas) and plasma nitriding (also known as ion nitriding), to cater to diverse material types and application requirements. These furnaces are crucial for manufacturing high-performance components in industries such as automotive, aerospace, tooling, and machinery, where component longevity and reliability are paramount.

Technical Specifications

Working Principle

Nitriding is a surface hardening heat treatment process that introduces nitrogen into the surface of steel components to form a hard, wear-resistant layer. The process typically occurs at relatively low temperatures (480°C to 650°C) to minimize distortion. There are two main types: gas nitriding and plasma (ion) nitriding.

In Gas Nitriding, components are heated in an atmosphere containing nitrogen-rich gases, most commonly ammonia (NH3). At elevated temperatures, ammonia dissociates into nitrogen and hydrogen. The nascent nitrogen atoms are absorbed by the steel surface and diffuse inwards, reacting with alloying elements (like aluminum, chromium, molybdenum) to form stable nitrides. These nitrides precipitate within the steel matrix, leading to a significant increase in surface hardness and compressive residual stresses, which improve fatigue resistance. The process parameters, such as temperature, time, and gas flow rates, are precisely controlled to achieve the desired case depth and hardness profile.

In Plasma Nitriding, components are placed in a vacuum chamber, and a low-pressure nitrogen-hydrogen gas mixture is introduced. A high voltage is applied between the furnace wall (anode) and the components (cathode), creating a plasma. Nitrogen ions within the plasma are accelerated towards the component surface, where they bombard the material, sputtering off surface atoms and activating the surface. This energetic bombardment and diffusion of nitrogen into the surface lead to the formation of nitrides and a hardened layer. Plasma nitriding offers advantages such as shorter treatment times, better control over the compound layer formation, and the ability to treat stainless steels without prior activation.

Both methods require precise control of temperature, atmosphere composition, and time to ensure optimal results. The furnaces are equipped with advanced control systems to monitor and regulate these parameters, ensuring repeatability and high-quality nitrided components.

Process Flow

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