Abstract
The present work is concentrated on plasma assisted nitriding of steel at a higher temperature of 450 and 525 °C. Steel samples hardened and tempered after heat treatment were mirror polished. Samples are then cleaned ultrasonically and placed in the vacuum chamber of reactor and then evacuated. The gas mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen was fed into the chamber and when the pressure to a desirable level plasma was generated.The hardness measurement of steel samples after nitriding had shown a significant improvement of hardness. Hardness and also the case depth was found to be increased to around 1200 Hv and 108 μm respectively, as the treatment temperature was raised from 450 to 525 °C. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed the presence Fe and Fe-nitride peaks and also a lower angle shifting of Fe peak indicating the stress generation in crystal lattice. The improvement of hardness may be attributed to the presence of these nitrides and the lattice expansion.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
