The Influence of Plasma Nitriding Period on Nitrided Layers Thickness

Abstract

The plasma nitriding as a technology for finishing of material surface layers was carried out on selected material. The effect of plasma nitriding conditions on the thickness and hardness of nitrided layer was investigated. The influence of plasma nitriding period on the thickness of the plasma nitrided layers was comprehensively assessed on the C55 steels. Plasma nitriding was carried out on selected material at 500 °C under 280 Pa with a mixture atmosphere of H2 and N2 in the plasma nitriding equipment. The period of the plasma nitriding process was changeable from 5 to 20 hours. Measurements of the properties of nitrided layers of selected material were solved by using experimental methods in accordance with standards. The samples were characterized by GDOES spectrometry, optical microscopy, and hardness testing. The depths of the plasma nitriding layers were also detected using cross-sectional microhardness profiles. Relation between plasma nitriding period and a thickness of a nitrided layer was explained and has shown that microhardness and surface hardness of mentioned samples were significantly increased.