Nitrogenized Steel(Nitrided Steel)
Nitriding is a process of enriching the surface of a steel with nitrogen. The nitrogenizing is achieved by soaking the material in liquid or gaseous nitriding media at temperatures of 500 to 570 degrees Celsius. Nitrogenized steel is one of the most popular and widely used materials in the manufacturing and engineering industries due to its exceptional characteristics of high wear and corrosion resistance and excellent fatigue strength.
Nitrogenized steel is derived from conventional steels and alloy steels and it is usually produced through a process of liquid or gaseous nitrogenized steel. The process involves the cantilevering of the material and the formation of a protective layer of nitrogen-enriched iron nitride on the surface. This layer helps to provide exceptional properties, including high wear and corrosion resistance and excellent fatigue strength.
The process of nitrogenizing the steel substrate occurs on a narrower band of the steel at temperatures of 500 to 570 degrees. The band of steel is exposed to nitrogen ions and then heated to a temperature of 500 to 600 degrees Celsius in order to accelerate the diffusion of nitrogen into the steel substrate. This diffusion process changes the structure of the steel at the surface and it creates a nitrogen-enriched iron nitride layer of up to 0.1mm in depth.
Nitrogenized steel offers superior wear resistance and corrosion protection compared to conventional steel and alloy steels, as the nitride layer is harder than the steel substrate. The nitrogenizing also improves the fatigue strength, and increases the durability of the material by as much as 50 times that of conventional steel.
The application of nitrogenized steel is extensive and this technology is rapidly gaining acceptance in many diverse markets. It can be used to fabricate machine parts, tool components and structural elements that must function in a variety of environments. Its excellent properties of corrosion and wear-resistance, in addition to its strength and light weight characteristics, make it very attractive in the aerospace, automotive and military industries, where highly reliable parts are a requirement.
The process of producing nitrogenized steel is relatively simple and economical when compared to other surface treatments. Nitriding also has a low environmental impact, making it a preferable option over other steels in terms of sustainability.
In conclusion, nitrogenized steel has become an increasingly attractive option for manufacturers and engineers seeking a highly durable material with excellent characteristics of wear and corrosion resistance, as well as long-term fatigue strength. Nitrogenized steel can be produced economically and with minimal environmental impact, allowing it to be used in a variety of demanding applications in a wide range of industries.