Comparison of carbonitriding and nitrocarburising on size and shape distortion of plain carbon SAE 1010 steel

Abstract

Carbonitriding is a widely accepted method of heat treatment used by North American manufacturers for plain carbon steel. While the process imparts a hard, wear resistant case, it is also associated with both size and shape distortion, which can be problematic for components in tight fitting assemblies. This research compares the effects of the carbonitriding and nitrocarburising processes on SAE 1010 steel with respect to residual stress and distortion. Results indicate that the two processes develop residual compressive stresses and are associated with both size and shape distortion. Although the magnitude of the compressive stresses in nitrocarburised steels is lower, this process was noted to give rise to overall smaller dimensional changes than the carbonitriding process. The findings from this study are applied to a manufacturing application involving the surface treatment of a thin shelled automotive component in a light loading application.

Effects of Different Plasma Nitrided Layers on the Tribological Performance of DLC Coatings

“…In contrast to other surface treatments such as gas nitriding, salt bath nitriding, carbonitriding, and nitrocarburising [12][13][14][15] , in plasma nitriding temperature is not dependent of a conventional heat source. Plasma energy is the heat source and process temperature can be adjusted with plasma voltage and pressure in addition to an external heat source.…”

Comparison of Austempering and Quench-and-Tempering Processes for Carburized Automotive Steels

“…Roundness distortion is measured by tracing the ID of the C-Ring and comparing the absolute value of the points closest and farthest from the central axis of the C-ring [15]. These measurements are taken at the top, bottom, and middle of the sample.…”

“…The three steels show no noticeable difference between the two heat treatment processes, as the quench-andtempered results were within the range of the austempered results. Cylindricity is taken by measuring along the vertical axis of the OD of the sample and comparing the closest and farthest values from the central vertical axis of the sample [15]. The changes in cylindricity and roundness values were small relative to the other dimensional distortions, rarely exceeding a tenth of a millimeter in change.…”

Thermochemical Treatment of Metals

“…Carbonitriding is widely accepted for surface improvement of plain carbon steels, having low hardenability. According to the comparative study of both processes, carbonitriding and nitrocarburizing develop the compressive stress and are associated with the size and shape distortion [80]. However, nitrocarburizing causes lower compressive stress and size/shape distortion, as is the case for SAE 1010 steel.…”