Influence of the magnetic field at ion nitriding in the glow-discharge on the microhardness of steel AISI 321

Abstract

The influence of the magnetic field on the microhardness and thickness of the diffusion layer of AISI 321 steel is studied. The effect of preliminary mechanical treatment on the diffusion of nitrogen during ion nitriding in the glow-discharge is studied. The microhardness distribution curves by depth are obtained at various temperatures. It has been established that the use of a magnetic field during nitriding leads to an increase in the microhardness of 1.5…2 times and 1.5 times the thickness of the diffusion layer. Application of plastic deformation prior before ion nitriding in the glow-discharge increases the diffusion of nitrogen deep into the processed material, due to the formation of a deformed structure.