Carbonitriding

Standard – UNI 5381
Typical materials – Steels such as 20MnCr5, 20NiCrMo2, 11SMnCr5, etc.
Metallurgical characteristics obtainable – Surface hardness varying from 55-65HRC – Effective treatment depths ranging from 0.10 to 0.60mm

Carbonitriding is a process typically applied to finished parts after the main mechanical processes. It is often necessary to perform a subsequent grinding phase.

Carbonitriding provides components with a high surface hardness while maintaining good core toughness. The treatment is commonly used on shafts, gears, pinions, and other mechanical components subject to wear as well as bending and/or tensile stresses.

The process involves heating to austenitizing temperatures in an environment that allows for surface enrichment with both carbon and nitrogen. By adjusting the duration of this state, the required treatment depth as specified in the design can be controlled. Austenitization is followed by quenching through rapid cooling in oil to achieve microstructural stability.

Subsequently, tempering is performed at varying temperatures between 120-250°C, depending on the desired surface hardness.