• 열처리공학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.71-77
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• 2003

We investigate the phase formation in the compound layer of cast irons during the gaseous nitrocarburising of four different cast irons, that contain different types of graphites in the shape and size. We examine the change in the surface roughness with the nitrocarburising time. The observation of cross-sectional microstructure and X-ray diffraction analysis indicate that the compound layer consists of single ${\varepsilon}-Fe_{2-3}(N,C)$ phase and that its thickness increases in a parabolic manner with the treatment time. The surface roughness parameters, Rz and Ra increase with increasing treatment time. In other words, the roughness parameters increase as the thickness of compound layer increases. The parameters also depend on the shape and size of graphite in the individual cast irons.

• 열처리공학회지
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.68-83
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• 1989

Physical metallurgy aspects of gaseous ferritic nitrocarburising are reviewed in the light of basic studies undertaken since 1975 which have illustrated inconsistencies between the iron-carbon-nitrogen ternary phase diagram at $570^{\circ}C$ and the experimental observation of the co-existence of the ${\varepsilon}$ carbonitride phase and ferrite. Thermodynamic investigations by Xu and Li together with those by Slycke et al are reviewed to illustrate compatability between a modified isothermal section of the Fe-C-N system and the formation and growth of a monophased ${\varepsilon}$ structure under a variety of processing conditions. The implications of the modified diagram in terms of innovations in industrial ferritic nitrocarburising practice are discussed, together with limitations on the control of the process. The importance of the developing technology of black nitrocarburising for enhanced wear, fatigue, and corrosion resistance is emphasised. Basic studies and industrial status of austenitic nitrocarburising treatments are also reviewed, which highlight the importance of substrate strengthening for high load bearing applications of anti-scuff thermochemical treatments.

• 열처리공학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.136-144
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• 1999

The study on the wear characteristics of compound layers formed during gaseous nitrocarburising in the medium carbon boron steels and the plain carbon steel has been carried out by using a pin-on-disc type wear test machine under the oil lubricating condition at room temperature and by varying applied loads, sliding speeds and wear distances. Values of friction coefficient measured at the sliding speed of 0.4m/sec under the oil lubricating condition have been shown to decrease considerably with increasing applied load and become gradually a constant value as load is increased to a higher value, showing that the transition load for friction coefficient appears at an applied load of 247.2N. The length and volume wear rates of compound layer have been revealed to relatively constantly increase, also showing that the wear life per unit thickness of compound layer turns out to be superior as porous layer has a denser and thinner appearance. As the sliding speed increases during wear test performed by varying sliding speed at a load of 63.2N under the oil lubricating condition for medium carbon boron steel nitrocarburised in gas atmosphere, the wear rate has been found to increase, the friction coefficient to decrease and the wear life per unit thickness of compound layer to decrease considerably.

• 열처리공학회지
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.305-314
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• 1998

This study has been performed to investigate into some effects of various amounts of $CO_2$ and CO gas added to the $50%NH_3-N_2$ based gas atmosphere on microstructure, hardness, chemical analysis and residual stress in the compound and diffusion layer of AISI H13 treated by gaseous nitrocarburising process. The compound layer formed in the surface is composed of mainly ${\varepsilon}-Fe_3$(N,C) and small amount of ${\gamma}^{\prime}-Fe_4N$ and cementite. The maximum hardness value obtainable from H13 steel is shown to be 1200 Hv and the effecvtive hardening depth increases with increasing CO content from 1% to 4%. In the case of CO content over 4%, however, it decreases with increasing CO content. The composition profiles of nitrogen and carbon are found to be within the ${\varepsilon}$-phase field located above the ${\varepsilon}+{\gamma}^{\prime}$ phase field in the Fe-N-C diagram. It is shown that the maximum value of compressive residual stress of H13 steel treated in atmospheres of $50%NH_3-(2,4)%CO_2-N_2-CO$ gas mixture is $48kg/mm^2$ and the depth to which residual stress is in Compressive state is $90{\mu}m$ for the atmosphere $50%NH_3-45%N_2-4%CO_2-1%CO$ gas mixture. It is consequently important to control the maximum value and size of compressive residual stress region in order to obtain desirable mechanical properties.