1. Surface hardening

2. Chemical heat treatment
changes of the chemical composition to get different properties of surface layer as in core of the piece
– higher hardness, better wear or corrosion resistance, …
Saturation of surface with one or more elements
controlled by diffusion processes environment  piece
time and temperature dependence

3. Case-hardening
Carburizing (saturation and diffusion period), quenching and low temperature tempering.
Carburizing is proceed in case of 99 % in atmosphere using temperature between 900 °C and 950 °C
Main process parameters: temperature, time and saturation potential of atmosphere.
2CO  CO2 + C
Subsequent quenching to achieve martensitic structure in carburized layer
Standard tempering parameters (150 ÷ 200) °C / 2 h / air.

4. Carbonitriding (cyaniding)
carburizing process in atmosphere containing minor addition of nitrogen (e.g. 5 % NH3). Common parameters are:
temperature of process: 860 – 870°C
- optimal thickness 0,25 - 0,5 mm,
- time for carbonitriding: hours,
subsequential quenching in oil or warm bath (160°C)
tempering at a low temperature.

5. Nitriding saturation with nitrogen 2NH3  2N + 3H2
nitriding temperature: 500 – 600°C
typical nitriding case depth 0,5 mm.
time of process: 0,3mm - 20 hours, 0,5 mm – 60 hours
hardness of the layer may exceed 1000 HV.
steel must contain chemical element creating nitrides
(Al, Cr, Mo, V).

6. Nitrocarburizing
Nitriding process in an atmosphere containing minor addition of carbon (≈ 10 % some hydrocarbon gas like propane).
Temperature of process: 570 – 620°C,
growing rate of nitrocarburized layer:
4 hours  0,05 mm.
Hardness of the layer is close to 1000 HV.
The diffusion layer with hardness of 300 – 400 HV is developed under the surface in depth of 0,3 – 0,5mm. This layer improves ultimate load of surface and fatigue resistance of the piece.

7. nitrocarburizing
nitriding
carbonitriding
case hardening (carburizing)
face hardening

8. Thermomechanical treatment
(effect of temperature and deformation)
control of final structure and mechanical properties
High temperature mechanical treatment
deformation in region of stable austenite followed by quenching and low tempering
Low temperature mechanical treatment
deformation in region of metastable austenite followed by quenching and low tempering
Isoforming
deformation during isothermal pearlite transformation

9. Result: fine martensite with strength 1000 – 2000 MPa
ausforming-low temperature
mechanical treatment;
high temperature mechanical treatment;
isoforming transformation
Result: fine martensite with strength 1000 – 2000 MPa
Isoforming - very fine ferrite subgrains (after recovery)