Comparative studies of the microstructure, porosity and hardness of the surface layer of a low-carbon steel are performed after nitrocarburizing by traditional single-cycle and novel multi-cycle treatments. The sizes and the content of pores in the surface layer are determined, the profile of the variation of microhardness over its thickness is plotted, and an x-ray diffraction analysis is performed. It is recommended to use multi-cycle nitrocarburizing for surface treatment of parts from low-carbon steels in order to raise the operating characteristics of the parts.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
G. F. Totten, Steel Heat Treatment: Metallurgy and Technologies, Taylor & Francis, London (2007), 832 p.
J. R. Davis (ed.), ASM Handbook, Vol. 4, Heat Treating, ASM International, OH (1994), 1012 p.
J. Slycke and I. Sproge, “Kinetics of the gaseous nitrocarburizing process,” Surf. Eng., 5(2), 125 – 140 (1089).
L. H. Chiu, C. H. Wu, and H. Chang, “Wear behavior of nitrocarburized JIS SKD61 tool steel,” Wear, 253(7 – 8), 778 – 786 (2002).
R. L. Liu and M. F. Yan, “Improvement of wear and corrosion resistances of 17-4PH stainless steel by plasma nitrocarburizing,” Mater. Des., 31(5), 2335 – 2359 (2010).
J. W. Zhang, L. T. Lu, K. Shiozawa, et al., “Effects of nitrocarburizing on fatigue property of medium carbon steel in very high cycle regime,” Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 528(22 – 23), 7060 – 7067 (2011).
L. Sproge and J. Slycke, “Control of the compound layer structure in gaseous nitrocarburizing,” J. Heat Treat., 9(2), 105 – 112 (1992).
B. Y. Jeong and M. Kum, “Effects of the process parameters on the layer formation behavior of plasma nitride steels,” Surf. Coat. Technol., 141(2 – 3), 182 – 186 (2001).
Sohi M. Heydarzadeh, M. Ebrahimi, et al., “Effect of plasma nitrocarburizing temperature on the wear behavior of AISI 4140 steel,” Surf. Coat. Technol., 205 (Suppl. 1), S84 – S89 (2010).
A. R. Rastkar and B. Shokri, “Surface modification and wear test of carbon steel by plasma electrolytic nitrocarburizing,” Surf. Interface Anal., 44(3), 342 – 351 (2012).
K. M. Winter, “Independently controlled carbon and nitrogen potential: a new approach to carbonitriding process,” J. Mater. Eng. Perform., 22(7), 1945 – 1956 (2013).
D. E. Newbury and N. W. M. Ritchie, “Is scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) quantitative?” Scanning, 35(3), 141 – 168 (2013).
W. C. Oliver and G. M. Pharr, “An improved technique for determining hardness and elastic modulus using load and displacement sensing indentation experiments,” J. Mater. Res., 7(6), 1564 – 1583 (1992).
M. Becton and X. Wang, “Grain-size dependence of mechanical properties in polycrystalline boron-nitride: a computational study,” Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 17, 21894 – 21901 (2015).
The authors would like to acknowledge the discussions and support from Dr. J. T. H Pearce, the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (Thailand), the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), the Thailand Commission on Higher Education of Thailand (National Research University Project), the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), the Thammasat School of Engineering Research Fund, and the Thammasat University Research Fund.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 7, pp. 38 – 46, July, 2021.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Taweejun, N., Praditja, T., Bootchai, S. et al. Effect of Multi-Cycle Nitrocarburizing on the Microstructure and Surface Hardness of Low-Carbon Steel. Met Sci Heat Treat 63, 380–387 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11041-021-00699-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11041-021-00699-1