Abstract
A novel radio frequency (rf) plasma technique for nitriding engineering steels is described whichproduces a surface layer of exceptional hardness in extremely short nitriding times. The sample does not form part of the primary electrical circuit, as is the case, with de plasma methods, and the temperature at the metal surface is controlled by a variable pulsed mode operation of the inductively coupled nitrogen plasma. The rate of nitriding is compared to those obrained by conventional ammonia nitriding and by de plasma methods. The rapid rates of layer growth observed with the rf plasma are discussed in terms of an interstitial–vacancy coupled diffusion model. The results demonstrate the feasibility of a rapid and flexible process for nitriding all grades of engineering steels.
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