Evolution of Microstructure and Hardness of the Nitrided Zone during Plasma Nitriding of High-Alloy Tool Steel

Plasma nitriding is widely used in various industrial applications to improve surface hardness and wear properties. Especially for tool steels, it also the support adhesion of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings. The properties nitrided zone produced by plasma are influenced applied process parameter, particular temperature time. However, high-alloy a deeper understanding underlying diffusion processes nitrogen interaction with existing microstructure, as well effects on case depth still lacking. Therefore, this study, specimens steel X153CrMoV12 were at varying temperatures (480 °C, 520 560 °C) treatment times (2 h, 4 16 h). resulting zones investigated optical scanning electron microscopy (OM SEM), depth-dependent glow discharge emission spectroscopy (GDOES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), measurements characterize their chemical composition, depending parameters. distribution carbides (M7C3), e.g., chromium carbides, affects layer growth. An increase duration leads an increased thickness. composition compound is, parameters: ε nitrides (Fe2–3N) occurred preferentially lower temperatures, while γ′ (Fe4N) appeared mostly higher temperatures. In order investigate influence process, new methodology was developed means finite element analysis (FE), which makes possible analyze development concentration profile. This first time map heterogeneous evolution distribution.