Influence of the process temperature on the steel microstructure and hardening in pulsed plasma nitriding

Author(s)

Zagonel, L. F. ^[1] ; Figueroa, C. A. ^[1] ; Droppa, Jr., R. ^[1] ; Alvarez, F. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Lab Nacl Luz Sincrotron, BR-13083971 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY; v. 201, n. 1-2, p. 452-457, SEP 12 2006.
• Web of Science Citations: 41

Abstract

In this paper we report the influence of temperature (260 to 510 degrees C) on the AISI H13 steel microstructure and hardness in pulsed plasma nitriding processes. The experimental results show that bulk nitrogen penetration is well represented by a temperature-activated law. Even at the lowest studied temperatures, grain boundary diffusion causes nitrogen to move relatively deep in the bulk sample. The microstructure was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis at grazing angle and in the Bragg-Brentano configuration. Scanning Electron Microscopy with spatially resolved Xray energy disperse spectroscopy was also employed to map nitrogen influence on the morphology of the material. Also, surface (frontal) and profiling nano-indentation was utilized to elucidate the effect of the temperature on the nitrited material hardness. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 97/12069-0 - Structural, optical and transport properties of amorphous semicondutors
• Grantee: Fernando Alvarez
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants