Surface Modification of Aluminum Using a Combined Technique of Barrel Nitriding and Plasma Nitriding

Abstract

In this study, a new nitriding process is proposed to produce the aluminum nitride on the aluminum surface. A process of combined barrel and plasma nitriding techniques was used. By using the barrel nitriding process, an aluminum nitride layer with high thickness can be formed within a matter of hours, and the surface hardness can be improved by using the plasma nitriding. It is suggested that a combined technique of the barrel nitriding and the plasma nitriding is one of the most promising surface treatments for the aluminum.

Formation of Aluminum Nitride Films by Gas Nitriding

“…A barrel tank was used for surface nitriding of aluminum substrates. Details of the nitriding system have been reported previously 6,7) . The barrel tank used in this study was octagonal, as shown in Fig.…”

A Study on the Effects of Gas Nitriding on Aluminum 6061 for Automotive Engine Application

“…The nitrogen then diffuses onto the surface of the material creating nitride layer [2]. Nitriding an aluminum surface is very hard due to the thin oxide layer existing on the surface which keeps the dispersion of nitrogen into the aluminum substrate making it a slowly process [7]. Gas pressure did not have any significant effect to the thickness of layer as thickness remains constant if the gas pressure increases [8].…”

“…Gas pressure did not have any significant effect to the thickness of layer as thickness remains constant if the gas pressure increases [8]. Aluminum has no diffusion zone like other metal [7]. Aluminum surface will change from metallic silver to dark gray or shiny black after nitriding due to the formation of aluminum nitride layer on the surface [9].…”

Improvement of Erosion Resistance of Aluminum- Copper Alloy Type 2024 by Plasma Nitriding

“…Okumiya et al Combined barrel nitriding and plasma nitriding, a bilayer aluminum nitride on aluminum can be produced [11]. Khan et al studied nitriding of aluminum alloy in nitrogen and nitrogen-helium mixture using a 100 Hz-pulsed DC glow discharge.…”