Heat Treatment

Heat Treatment

INTRODUCTION
Liquid Nitriding process involves enrichment of the Steel Surface basically with Nitrogen and very small amount of Carbon at a specified temperature range, by diffusion from Cyanide-free molten salt bath.

This thermo-chemical Transformation of the Steel surface enhances wear resistance, fatigue strength and anti-galling properties with least distortion and improves corrosion resistance.

It works very effectively for surface property enhancements on titanium, aluminium and chromium bearing steels as well as low alloy steels and stainless steels.

ENHANCEMENT OF PROPERTIES
Liquid nitriding increases wear resistance properties from 200% to 1000%, depending upon composition of base metal and fatigue strength by 20% to 100%.

PROCESS AND TECHNICAL DETAILS
Salt Bath Nitriding is performed at 560° – 570° C following necessary heat-treatment for core properties and finish machining. It ensures dimensional stability of processed parts and core properties which remain unchanged, provided heat treatment temperatures were higher than the liquid nitriding temperature, i.e. 560° – 570° C.

In liquid nitriding bath, which contains nitrogenous salts, nitrogen is released in a controlled and uniform manner at the interface of the work piece. Nitrogen by diffusion chemically combines with nitride –forming elements like aluminium, chromium and forms a tough ductile compound layer with high mechanical and chemical properties like hardness, wear resistance, anti-galling and resistance to corrosion.
Just adjacent and below the compound layer, another layer diffusion zone is formed. Diffusion zone consists of a solid solution of nitrogen in the base material. The diffusion zone contributes to substantial enhancement of fatigue strength. There is a simultaneous diffusion of carbon in a small amount which contributes to property enhancement combining with the base metal.

ADVANTAGES:
i) Liquid nitriding process is highly active, more efficient and time – saving compared to gas nitriding.
ii) After liquid salt bath nitriding the parts can be quenched in water, oil or cooled in air.
iii) The salt mixture is cyanide-free. So, the waste / carry over does not require treatment/ neutralization of toxic effect.
iv) The nitride parts can be given a bright lustrous black finish by a supplementary operation.
v) The thermo-chemical transformation involves negligible dimension change / distortion.

APPLICATION:
Liquid nitriding has unique advantages – improvement of surface properties like wear resistance, anti-galling and chemical property as corrosion- resistance. Process time & energy cost being low, the process is cost saving. It is non-hazardous being cyanide-free.

Considering these, the process has wide application in automobile and other industries. The process is widely used for surface hardening of gears, cam shaft, spindles , slides and guides engine valves, bushes , flanges , aluminium Extrusion dies, hydraulic components, high speed steel tools, mining machineries, husking machines, pump bodies and many others.


NITRIDING SALT

HARDTEMP CN4 &HARDTEMP CN2

Nitrocarburizing process involves the diffusional addition of basically nitrogen with small amount of carbon to the steel surface at a specified temperature range maintained in the liquid HARDTEMP CN4 salt bath. The diffusion of nitrogen and carbon to the steel components improve wear resistance, provide excellent anti-seizure and scuffing resistance properties. Base salt HARDTEMP CN4 and regenerator salt HARDTEMP CN2 are used in the process.


FILES HARDENING SALT

BASE SALT CL and REGENERATOR
(cyanide free application.)

It is a specially designed salt developed for hardening high-carbon steel files and medium or low carbon steel rasps. It gives an excellent finish on the hardened work at low cost and cyanide free application.


QUENCHING SALT

HARD TEMP 150

It is used for tempering after hardening. It is also used as a quenching bath in martempering and austempering.

NEUTRAL HARDENING SALTS

HARD TEMP 660

It is used for hardening various tool steels, selectively carburised steels, austenitising before martempering and preheating high-speed and hot-work steels. Its working range is 660-900 0 C and upto 10000C.

HARD TEMP 720

It is a readily water – soluble neutral salt used in the range of 720 – 900 0 C or upto 9500C. The bath is used for hardening of carbon and alloy steels, carburised parts selectively machined and suitable heating medium for parts that are subsequently mar tempered or austempered.

HARD TEMP 830

It is used in the temperature range 830 – 1100 0 C for hardening of chromium rust-resisting steels B. S. EN 36 A-D & B. S. EN 57, 2% carbon 12% chromium type tool steels and sometime hot-work steels.

HARD TEMP 970

It is used in the temperature range 970 – 1350 0 C in special refractory lined mild steel pots for heating high-speed & hot-work steels to the specified hardening temperature.

MASKING COMPOUND

INTRODUCTION

It is an anti-carburising compound used while masking of selected areas component where carbon penetration is not desired. It works very effectively for the surfaces of the components where masking compound is applied during process of carburising.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Masking compound which can be easily applied on the chosen areas by brushing, dipping or by spraying. Normally a uniform layer obtainable by single coat application. Two coats of this compound is recommended where case depth for carburising is more.

TYPES OF MASKING COMPOUND

A) Non-Aqueous Masking Compound.
This is a quick drying masking compound which is very stable and also effective in preventing carbon penetration on selected surfaces.

B) Water Based Masking Compound
This is a stable and eco-friendly masking compound easily applicable for prevention of carbon penetration as required.

ADVANTAGES

1) Simple in application by brushing, dipping or spraying.
2) Quick drying in a well-ventilated area.
3) Stable and eco-friendly in use.
4) No risk of cracking on uniform coating during process of heat treatment
5) Very much cost effective.

ANTI- CARBURISING PEST

MASKCHEM 400 (NON – AQUEOUS CHEMICAL ANTI-CARBURISING COMPOUND)

It is a non-aqueous anti – carburizing compound used for masking of selective areas of components during heat treatment process.

MASKCHEM 376 (AQUEOUS CHEMICAL ANTI-CARBURISING COMPOUND)

It is a aqueous anti – carburizing compound used for masking of selective areas of components during heat treatment process.

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