Parameter Design in Carbonitriding of EN36, 16MnCr5, and AISI 4140 Steels Using Principal Component-Based Grey Incidence (PGI)

Case-hardening steels (EN36, 16MnCr5, and AISI 4140) are used in applications demanding good surface properties such as precision gears, shafts, cam rollers. This study explores the formation of microcoatings to improve characteristics these using carbonitriding, which combines merits carburizing nitriding offer surfaces with enhanced hardness wear resistance. Taguchi’s L18 orthogonal array is for conducting carbonitriding trials replications. The effects various parameters like time, temperature, flow rate ammonia studied on treated (Vickers microhardness, diffusion depth, loss). A novel integrated approach principal component-based grey incidence (PGI) that both component analysis theory effectively select optimal inputs (material substrate 4140, temperature −835°C, time-40 min, 0.4 lit/min). Microscopic images related depths also analyzed. offers necessary guiding principles obtaining desired coating EN36, 4140 steels.