Carbonitriding

Carbonitriding consists of simultaneous diffusion of Carbon and Nitrogen at high temperature (but lower than carburizing), over AC1. In this process the carbon content of the layer is bigger than the nitrogen. The result is a martensite with high values of hardness and good wear resistance. After carbonitriding we have to do hardening and tempering. This process gives better mechanical properties, lower deformations than carburizing, The only problem is, because of nitrogen, layers bigger than 0.8 mm can't be obtained (nitrogen in bigger layers gives porosity). Carbonitriding needs controlled atmosphere like endogas + methene + ammonia, endogas + propane + ammonia, nitrogen + propane + ammonia.

The process can take place in: