What Is Gas Nitriding?

Gas nitriding is a surface heat treatment that uses dissociated ammonia to diffuse nitrogen into the surface of various types of steel. This diffusion provides a case hardness on the part to improve its wear resistance and fatigue strength.

Nitriding is used for various reasons, including:

• Increased surface hardness
• Improved anti-galling properties
• Increased fatigue life
• Improved corrosion resistance
• Creating a surface that can withstand the effects of severe heat up to the nitriding temperature

How Does Nitriding Work?

Nitriding is a lengthy process that takes 4 to 60 hours, depending on the case depth requirements. Parts undergoing thermal processing are exposed to temperatures between 900-1000F and don’t have to be quenched when the process is completed. After nitriding, the piece comes out with an extremely hard surface.

Nitriding can be used on ferrous, titanium, aluminum, and molybdenum alloys.

The Benefits of Nitriding for the Aerospace Manufacturing Industry

Gas nitriding directly benefits the aerospace manufacturing industry by providing:

• Products that can withstand extreme temperatures
• Uniformity of results with products
• Protected materials that won’t break down with general wear and tear

Advanced surface treatments allow aerospace manufacturers to improve the reliability and durability of their commonly used materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium.

With these materials playing a vital part in the functioning of planes and other aerospace machinery, it’s crucial that manufacturers don’t cut corners on product integrity. The nitriding process ensures that the materials produced are as strong as they possibly can be.

Why Aerospace Manufacturers Should Work with a Partner for Gas Nitriding

Purchasing the materials for gas nitriding can be expensive, and the process has to be completed accurately to guarantee effectiveness. Instead of investing in your own equipment, it’s more cost-efficient to team up with a company that already owns the materials and knows the process inside and out.

Partnering with a team of specialists guarantees that nitriding will go smoothly and allows your employees to focus on other aspects of the manufacturing chain. It’s a tricky process to ensure that everything is up to standard, and there’s no reason for you to worry about it when you have someone who can take care of everything for you.

Vacu Braze is an industry leader in heat treatment solutions for aerospace manufacturers. Contact Vacu Braze to learn more about nitriding and how it can benefit your production cycle.