Technical Report 1/1999

Properties of Nitrided
Components
A Result of the Material
and the Nitriding Process

Rainer Leppnen
Ovako Steel, Sweden
Hkan Jonsson
Bodycote, Sweden

ISSN 0284-3366
OVAKO STEEL
Ovako Steel is the worlds leading manufacturer of bearing steel and a major producer of other
special engineering steels. We are a fully owned subsidiary in the SKF group.
Our main strength is in the field of long special engineering steel products seamless tube, bar,
and surface removed wire. Rolled rings are also a specialty. A large part of the production is further
processed by machining. This share is increasing and illustrates our intention to progress towards
further processing and higher specialization.
The most important customer segments are the rolling bearing industry, the automotive industry
together with their subcontractors as well as the rock drilling and general engineering industries.
We have manufacturing units in Sweden, France, the U.K and the United States. Steel
production is confined to Hofors, in Sweden. The production capacity is approx. 500,000 tonnes of
special engineering steel per year.

Research & Development

Our R&D mission is to pursue an efficient product and process development, adapted to existing
and new technology, and within our product areas be recognized as the world leader in metallurgy,
materials technology, machinability and metal cutting technology as well as heat treatment. The
ultimate target is to offer our customers the best total economy in their production.

Bodycote Metal Technology

In January 1997 Brukens became a member of the Bodycote Group. Bodycote is a British holding
company with subsidiaries carrying on business in the fields of materials technology and metal
processing. The name Bodycote Metal Technology represents high quality service in Heat
Treatments, Metallurgical Coatings, Materials Testing and manufacture of special steel and metal
products using the Hot Isostatic Pressing technology. Bodycote currently provide a range of
metallurgical processing services from 195 Service Centres in 20 countries.
Abstract 1. Introduction
The report shows briefly how the nitridability of The surface zone is very often the most stressed
steel is influenced by different material and heat- part of a component. The stresses are highest in the
treatment factors. The effects on nitriding rate, surface zone during bending and twisting and it is
mechanical properties, tribological properties and the surface that is exposed to tribological and chem-
corrosion properties are addressed. ical attack. It is therefore natural that a number of
The different nitriding and nitrocarburizing methods to improve the surface properties have
processes are reviewed. The advantages and disad- been developed.
vantages of different processes are described, as Nitriding and nitrocarburizing are thermo-chem-
well as how component properties can be controll- ical case hardening processes. Both processes are
ed with the process parameters. used for improving mechanical properties, tribo-
An Ovako Steel nitriding steel, Ovako 225A, is logical properties and corrosion properties. These
presented. The steels behaviour during hardening improvements are obtained due to structural
and tempering, machining, nitriding etc. is covered changes in the surface zone that a nitrided/nitro-
and the possibilities and advantages of using Ovako carburized component is subject to.
225A as an alternative to different steel grades and A nitrided/nitrocarburized surface consists
heat treatments are discussed. normally of two layers, a thin <30 m, white
nitride/carbo-nitride layer called a compound
layer and beneath, the diffusion zone which can
vary in depth up to about 0.6 mm (Figure 1).
The compound layer determines the tribological
properties and the corrosion properties. The diffu-
sion zone determines mechanical properties
through its hardness and depth.
Nitriding and nitrocarburizing are often favour-
able alternatives to heat-treatment processes such
as carburizing, induction hardening, hardening
and tempering etc. The major advantages with
nitriding/nitrocarburizing are the minimal dimen-
sional changes and distortions of the treated com-
ponent due to the low process temperature and the
fact that the core of the component does not under-
go structural changes.

Compound layer

Diffussion zone

Figure1. Nitrocarburized surface zone. Micrograph 200 times magnification.

3
2. Nitridability of Steel 20
D x 10-9 cm2/s

2.1 Nitriding Rate

The main factors governing the depth and structure 15

of the compound layer and the diffusion zone are

nitrogen/carbon activity, treatment temperature, 10

treatment time, and the process utilised, but steel

composition also has a significant effect on the 5

nitriding rate. 570C

520C
Nitriding is, like carburizing, basically a diffu- 0
450C
0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50
sion controlled process and the nitriding depth is Carbon content, wt%
thus controlled by the temperature and time. A
certain time advantage exists however for plasma Figure 2. Nitrogen diffusion coefficient as a function of the carbon
content at various temperatures. Ref. 1.
nitriding due to faster nitrogen saturation of the
surface, which gives a somewhat higher nitriding
rate at the start of the nitriding process. For longer
nitriding times, and in comparison with the Total nitriding depth, mm
1,6
C15
importance of the temperature, the effect on the
1,4
nitriding time is however marginal. C45
1,2
The deepest nitrogen-inflicted cases are attained 34Cr4
1,0
when the steel has low carbon and alloy contents. C60
42CrMo4
0,8
50CrV4
Figure 2 shows the nitrogen diffusion coefficient as 37MnSi5
0,6
a function of the carbon content. Al-alloyed
nitriding
0,4
Figure 3 shows the nitriding depth as a function steel
0,2
of the nitrding time for some steel grades with
0
different alloy contents. The more alloyed steel 0 30 60 90 120 180 240 300 360
Nitriding time, minutes
grades have more shallow hardness profiles.
The advantage of having a low alloy content for Figure 3. Nitriding depth as function of the nitriding time. Salt bath
improving the nitriding rate is in conflict with the nitriding. Ref. 2.
need to have a high alloy content for getting a high
surface hardness, high hardenability, etc.
Figure 4 shows the depth of the compound layer Compound layer thickness, m
20
as a function of the temperature.
The compound-layer thickness increases with an
15
increasing temperature and reaches a maximum at
about 580C. At low temperatures the layer is
10
thinner because of a low diffusion rate. At high
temperatures the thickness is smaller due to a
decreasing partial pressure value (P NH3/P H2 3/2) 5

which decreases the nitrogen activity in steel in

equlibrium with the gas atmosphere. 0
500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640
Nitriding temperatur, C

Figure 4. Compound-layer thickness as a function of the nitriding

temperature. Ref.3.

4
2.2 Mechanical Properties
Peak Hardness, HV0,1
1100

2.2.1 Hardness En40B nitrided for 10 h in NH3

The hardness decreases with an increase in carbon

content and increases with an increase in the content 900

of nitride forming elements as chromium, molyb-

denum, vanadium, aluminium and titanium.
The hardness of the diffusion zone is determined 700

by two hardening mechanisms: solid solution hard-

ening and/or precipitation hardening.
500
Solid solution hardening is most important for 400 450 500 550 600
Nitriding temperature, C
low-alloyed steels and precipitation hardening is
the predominant mechanism for alloyed steels. Figure 7. Hardness as a function of the nitriding temperature. Ref.1.
The effect of carbon content on the hardness
profile is shown in Figure 5. The more carbon in the
Surface hardness is also strongly influenced by the
steel, the more chromium is tied up in the form of
nitriding temperature (Figure 7). Maximum hard-
carbides and the less chromium is available to form
ness is attained at approximately 500C.
chromium nitrides.
At the lowest temperature the nitrogen takeup
Figure 6 shows the influence of nitride forming
and precipitate density are low and therefore the
elements on hardness.
hardness increase is low. At higher temperatures
The strong nitride formers, aluminium and tita-
and/or longer treatment times both precipitate
nium have a pronounced effect on hardness even
growth and tempering of the matrix become im-
at small concentrations, but the case is shallow and
portant.
brittle and may exfoliate in service.

Hardness, HV
1300

0.19wt%C
520C, 10 h, ammonia 2.2.2 Fatigue Properties
1100
0.34wt%C Nitriding improves fatigue properties considerably
900 0.50wt%C by increasing hardness and inducing compressive
surface residual stresses. These residual stresses are
700
created through the solution and precipitation
500 hardening in the diffusion zone.
300
Figures 8 and 9 show the residual stress depth
profile respectively fatigue test results for a low
100
0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40
alloyed quenched and tempered material with a
Distance from surface, mm ultimate tensile strength of 873 MPa. The fatigue
Figure 5. Effect of carbon content on the hardness profile. Plasma
test specimens were plasma nitrided at 480C for
nitriding, chromium-alloyed steel. Ref.1. 24 hours.

Hardness, HV Residual stress [MPa]

1200 0

1000 100
Al Ti
Cr
200
800

V 300
Mo
600
400
Ni
400
500
typical error
200
600

0 700
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Alloy content, percent Depth, h [m]

Figure 6. Hardness as a function of the content of nitride-forming Figure 8. Residual stresses as a function of the distance from surface.
elements. Ref.4. Ref. 5.

5
 Stress S [MPa]
be beneficial to e.g. oxidation wear. The porous
1000
(b) PN
zone also has a positive effect on the running in of
Q&T nitrided components.
800
Generally the amount of pores increases with
600
treatment time, nitrogen activity and low alloying
element content.
400 Figure 11 shows wear test results under com-
bined rolling-sliding contact traction.
200

0 Weigh loss, 0,001g

1000 104 105 106 107 108 60

Number of cycles to failure, Nf Rolling-sliding wear test: dry 200 kg

Unnitrided
50
Figure 9. Fatigue test results, notched specimens. Quenched and
tempered (Q+T) and plasma nitrided (PN). Ref.6. 40 420C
500C 2.5 h

30
35 h
The plasma nitriding improved the fatigue limit by 20
10 h

53% with respect to smooth specimens and by 115%

with respect to notched specimens. 10

A thick porous and brittle compound layer can 0

0 1x0 20 30 40 50 60 70
initiate fatigue cracks. Revolutions of testing, x 1000

Figure 11. Rolling-sliding wear curves generated for different

nitriding treatments. Ref.1.
2.3 Tribological Properties
Figure 10 schematically shows the wear resistance
of the different surface zones of a nitrided/nitro-
carburized component.
The outer part of the compound layer usually con- 2.4 Corrosion Properties
tains pores and has in general a relatively low wear The compound layer created when nitriding and
resistance due to bad mechanical properties. nitrocarburizing considerably increases corrosion
The next zone, the porous-free part of the com- resistance.
pound layer, has very good wear resistance due to There are several ways of improving the corro-
the non-metallic character of the hard nitrides and sionresistance effect of the compound layer by
carbonitrides. having different additives in the furnace atmos-
The diffusion zone has a lower wear resistance phere e.g. oxygen. These techniques are described
which is reduced as a function of the depth below in part 3, Nitriding Processes.
the surface. Figure 12 shows corrosion resistance of hard
The porous outer part of the compound layer chrome plating, chemical nickel plating and
may serve as a lubricant reservoir and can therefore nitriding plus post oxidation.

Life time, h
Compound layer Diffussion zone 600
Pz*

500
>500 h

400
Wear resistance

300

200

100

0
*Porous zone Hard Chrome, 20m Chem Nickel, 20m IONIT OX
Distance from the surface

Figure 12. Corrosion resistance of hard chrome plating, nickel plating

Figure 10. Schematic illustration of wear resistance as a function of and nitriding plus post-oxidation in salt spray test according to DIN
the distance from the surface. Ref. 6. 50021 SS. Ref. 7.

6
3. Nitriding/ 3.2 Gas Processes

Nitrocarburizing Processes 3.2.1 Nitriding

Nitriding is the term primarily used for the classical
3.1 Terminology gas nitriding in ammonia developed during the
The terminology often creates confusion to people 1920s. The process temperature is 500-520C and to
not directly involved in heat treating and especially obtain sufficient case depth the nitriding time re-
the difference between nitrocarburizing and carbo- quired is very long, commonly 24-60 h.
nitriding often creates misunderstandings. Nitriding The traditional nitriding process is controlled by
is the term for gas nitriding in ammonia and it is a monitoring the degree of dissociation of the ammo-
process where only nitrogen is added to the surface. nia. There is a risk that the surface can be over
In nitrocarburizing the main element transferred to nitrided, which can result in a brittle compound
the surface is nitrogen but in addition also a small layer that has to be removed.
amount of carbon. Carburizing is the term for
adding only carbon and in carbonitriding the main
element is carbon with the addition of a small
amount of nitrogen.
3.2.2 Nitrocarburizing
One very important difference is that nitriding
Nitrocarburizing is always done in an atmosphere
and nitrocarburizing are low-temperature processes
containing more or less ammonia together with
whereas carburizing and carbonitriding are high-
other gases. The gaseous mixture is different be-
temperature processes. Low temperature means
tween the various commercial processes and for
a temperature below the one where the transforma-
some major technologies the mixture is the
tion to austenite starts and high temperature is
following:
above the same temperature. The advantage of the
low-temperature processes is less distortion of the
Nitemper NH3 + endogas
treated parts, which eliminates costly grinding
Nitroc NH3 + exogas
operations, shortens the production cycle and
Deganit NH3 + endogas + exogas
decreases the costs.
Nitrotec NH3 + endogas + air
There are a lot of nitrocarburizing processes on
Colournite NH3 + N2+CO2+H2
the market with different trade names and if the
(+ air/N2O/H2O)
heat-treatment terminology creates confusion, the
different trade names of the various nitriding/nitro-
The properties of nitrocarburized components de-
carburizing processes do not make it easier (Figure
pend on the surface microstructure and the hard-
13).
ness. The compound layer is 2-30 m thick and
consist of -phase with variable composition of
The processes can be organised into three groups related carbon and nitrogen (Fe2NC1-x) and/or -phase
to the process medium, which may be gas, salt or plasma. (Fe4N) depending on atmosphere and steel grade.
Tribological properties such as friction, wear and
corrosion resistance are mainly determined by the
compound layer.
er The -phase can cause brittle layers whereas the
Nitemp Ionit-ox Tenif
er-QP
Q -phase has higher ductility and it is very impor-
tant that the process can be controlled in order to
Blacknite Colournite
optimise the properties in the compound layer. The
x
Nitrofle diffusion zone goes deeper into the steel, 0.1-0.6 mm,
x
Plaso and the load bearing capacity, static and fatigue
Sulf Nitroc
inu
z strength are largely determined by this zone.
c
Deganit Nitrote Normally the same type of furnaces are used for
ynit nitrocarburizing as for carburizing and that is pre-
lf-Ox
Sursu
Nitro heating/tempering furnaces and sealed quench
Niox black
uid
Thermofl furnaces. To some extent belt furnaces and fluidized
beds are also used. The processing temperature is
Figure 13. Trade names of some nitriding/nitrocarburizing processes. 560-580 C and the processing time is normally 2-3 h.

7
3.2.3 The Colournite Process reach too high values which result in poor adher-
The possibilities to control the gas mixture during ence, low hardness and lower corrosion resistance.
the process, in order to vary for example the With the Colournite process and similar processes,
nitrogen activities and by that be able to design the however, it is possible to control both porosity and
composition and thickness of the compound layer, compound layer thickness by adjustment of the
are limited with todays standard nitrocarburizing furnace atmosphere composition.
processes. Today nitrocarburizing in gas is the fastest grow-
Therefore Brukens has developed a new process ing heat-treatment process. Todays techniques pro-
together with SKF and AGA called Colournite. The vide excellent opportunities to produce tailor-made
background was new more demanding customer surface layers that meet the increased property
requirements and one product was cages for requirements of components.
spherical roller bearings. To meet the requirements,
it was not only necessary to find a better nitrocar-
burizing process, but we also had to design a new 3.3 Salt-bath Processes
furnace, which we did together with Ipsen (Figure 14). The first salt bath for nitrocarburizing was intro-
With the Colournite process all gases are added duced in 1929 but it was not until the middle of
and controlled separately which gives very good 1960s that the use of the process became more wide-
possibilities to produce tailor-made layers. The rea- spread. Initially the bath consisted of cyanide-based
son why the process is called Colournite is because salts and the concentration of cyanide could be as
by applying different postoxidation methods very high as 50 %. Today the cyanide content in the bath
attractive surface colours such us black, yellow/gold, has been reduced to 1-5 %.
silver and blue can be obtained. AGA is marketing Most steels, including stainless steels, high speed
a similar process called Nitroflex. steels and cast iron can be nitrocarburized in salt
By combining nitrocarburizing with post- oxida- baths but low-alloy and carbon steels show the best
tion the improvement in corrosion resistance is results.
considerable. The thickness of the oxidised zone is The salt-bath processes are rapidly losing market
1-2 m, (Figure 15). shares to the gas and plasma processes due to en-
The treatment time in standard nitrocarburizing vironmental factors and the use of salt will continue
processes is limited for low-alloy steels by the fact to decrease.
that porosity and thickness of the compound layer

Figure 14. Furnace line used for the Colournite process at Bodycote Brukens workshop in Gothenburg, Sweden.

8
 Oxide layer
Compound layer

Figure 15. Surface layer after

Colournite treatment and
postoxidation. Micrograph
500 times magification.

3.4 Plasma Nitriding/Nitrocarburizing The plasma processes operates at temperatures be-

The plasma processes make use of an ionized gas tween 400 and 800C, which allows a large degree
that serves as a medium for both heating and of flexibility. Todays plasma process is mainly used
nitriding. The process was developed in the 1930s for nitriding and nitrocarburizing (often together
but it was not until the early 1970s that the method with postoxidation) but the plasma technique is
became significantly more widespread due to also used for producing hard surface layers such as
further development of the process. TiN, TiC, TiCN, TiAlN etc. (Plasma CVD).
The parts to be treated are placed in a vacuum
chamber and the furnace is filled with the process
gas to a pressure of 10 800 Pa. The plasma is
created by applying a direct electrical current be-
tween the cathodically charged workload and the
chamber wall as the anode in the circuit. The applied
voltage ( 300 800 V ) accelerates the ions towards
the workload surface and the layer structure can be
adjusted according to the property requirement of
the parts, Figure 16.

Figure 16. Plasma

Ionitox furnace line at
Bodycotes workshop
in Ludenschied,
Germany.

9
4. Ovako Steel possible to use the grade in large diameters. The
standard delivery program covers bars of dia-
Nitriding Steel Grade meters up to 185 mm.
Ovako 225A The straight and horizontal shape of the Jo-
miny curve also indicates that the steel grade has low
4.1 General Information sensitivity for variations in the quenching velocity.
Ovako Steel has developed a nitriding steel grade
which combines a number of beneficial properties:
Favourable nitriding rate
Favourable surface hardness 500
Hardness, HV

Favourable machinability
Favourable weldability 400

Favourable matrix mechanical properties

300

The wide range of good properties makes Ovako 200

225A a favourable alternative in many different
applications: 100

In substitution of type 1%Al nitriding steels

In substitution of hardening and tempering steels 0
0 10 20 30 40 50

In substitution of carburizing Distance from quenched end, mm

In substitution of induction hardening

In substitution of tool/bearing steels Figure 17. Jominy diagram. Austenitizing temperature 900C.

4.2 Chemical Composition of Ovako 225A Temperature, C

1200
Table 1 shows the principal composition of grade t8/5 = 7s
(440HV30)
Ovako 225A. 1000 t8/5 = 11s
(435HV30)

t8/5 = 15s
800 (430HV30)
C Mn Cr Mo t8/5 = 22s
(420HV30)
600
0.17 0.85 1.85 0.55 Bs
t8/5 = 30s
(390HV30)
Bs
Bs Bainite t8/5 = 60s
400 Ms Ms Ms (370HV30)
Table 1. Principal chemical composition of grade Ovako 225A. Martensite Bf
Bf
Bf
200

The carbon content is low compared to most of the 0

1 10 100 1000

traditional steel grades used for nitriding. The ad- Time, s

vantage of the low carbon content is high nitriding

rate, good matrix toughness, good machinability, Figure 18. CCT diagram. Austenitizing 950C, 10 minutes.
good weldability, etc.
The Cr and Mo contents control the surface hard-
ness and give the steel grade good hardenability
Hardness, HV
and tempering resistance. 400

Mn also contributes to a good hardenability and 380

tempering resistance. 360

340

4.3 Hardenability 320

The hardenability of Ovako 225A is shown with the 300

1,5h
Jominy diagram, Figure 17, and the CCT-diagram, 280

Figure 18. 260

12h

The relatively straight and horizontal shape of 475 500 525 550 575 600
Temperature, C
the Jominy curve in combination with the low car-
bon content, makes it possible to harden in water
Figure 19. Hardness as a function of the tempering temperature. 1.5
without any risk of hardening cracks. This makes it and 12 hours holding time.

10
4.4 Hardening and Tempering. Softening as a function of the holding time at 500C
Ovako 225A is usually supplied in hardened and is shown in Figure 20.
tempered condition. Hardening temperature
900-930C and quenching in water. A normal tem- 4.5 Nitriding Rate
pering temperature for attaining a tensile strength The chemical composition of grade Ovako225A is
of about 950 Mpa is 590C. designed to give a high nitriding rate in com-
bination with good mechanical properties. Figure 21
shows the surface hardness profiles for 10, 20, 40
and 60 hours nitriding times.
Hardness, HV
420 Figure 22 shows the nitriding depth as a function of
the nitriding time for grade Ovako 225A, 42CrMo4,
400
31CrMoV9 and 41CrAlMo7. All the grades were
380
plasma nitrided 510C on the same occasion.
Figure 22 shows that grades 31CrMoV9 and
360 41CrAlMo7 need about a 30-50% longer nitriding
time for reaching the same nitriding depth as
340
Ovako 225A.
320
0 10 20 30 40 50 4.6 Surface Hardness
Holding time, h
The nitride-forming elements, Cr and Mo, are
balanced such that their contents are not so high
Figure 20. Hardness as a function of the holding time at 500C.
that they cause negative effects, but high enough to
give a surface hardness which is sufficient for most
applications.
900
Hardness, HV1
As described in part 2.2.1, nitriding hardness
800
depends on many factors. Normally the surface
700
hardness is HV1=800-950. This is a hardness range
600
which makes Ovako 225A an interesting alterna-
500
tive in substitution of carburizing.
The big advantage with nitriding compared to
400
20h 40h 60h carburizing and many other heat-treatment
300
10h methods is the fact that nitriding causes only minor
200
dimensional changes and distortion.
100
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 An application which requires small dimensional
Distance from surface, mm
changes in heat treatment and good fatigue proper-
ties is for example the gear axles in hydraulic gear
Figure 21. Surface hardness profiles of grade Ovako 225A. Plasma pumps, Figure 23.
nitriding 510C, 10, 20, 40 and 60h nitriding time.

Nitriding depth HV 400, mm

0,7

0,6 225A
42CrMo4
41CrAlMo7
0,5
31CrMoV9

0,4

0,3

0,2

0,1

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Nitriding time, h

Figure 22. Nitriding depth, 400HV1, as a function of the nitriding

time. Plasma nitriding 510C. Figure 23. Gear axle in a hydraulic gear pump

11
4.5 Machinability 4.8 Weldability
The machining operation cost is often a very big Ovako 225A is used in many welding applications.
part of the total component manufacturing cost. In many applications it is a great cost advantage
Good machinability is therefore very important for if welding can be used in component manufacturing.
reducing the manufacturing cost. A high carbon content in the material is often the
Figure 24 shows the tool life as a function of the factor which restricts the use of welding.
cutting speed in the ISO 3685 single-point cemented- Ovako 225A has a low carbon content which
carbide length turning test. gives a martensite of proportionately low hardness
and good toughness and thereby a low crack risk.
Tool life T, min Applications may for example be hydraulic
30
pistons with friction welded end parts Figure 25.
DIN 42CrMo4
DIN 41CrAllVlo7 OVAKO 225A
20 4.9 Matrix Mechanical Properties
The chemical composition of Ovako 225A pos-
15 sesses good mechanical properties up to large bar
diameters.
10
Table 2 on top of next page, shows the standard
mechanical properties in hardened and tempered
condition which are guaranteed for bar diameters
up to 185 mm.
5
Figure 26 shows the impact strength as a function
of the test temperature for a hardened and tem-
50 100 200 300 400
pered bar of 25 mm . As the figure shows, the im-
Cutting speed v, m/min pact strength is very high down to very low tempe-
ratures.
Figure 24. VT-diagram showing the tool life as a function of cutting
speed for the grades Ovako 225A, 42CrMo4 and 41CrAlMo7.
Hardened and tempered material, hardness 280 HB.
Impact energy, KV
200

Figure 24 shows, as also does our customer 180

experience, Ovako 225A has a very competitive

120
machinability.
80

40

0
200 150 100 50 0
Test temperature, C

Figure 26. Impact strength as a function of the test temperature.

Hardened and tempered bar 25 mm .

4.10 Steel Cleanliness

The steel cleanliness is of vital importance to fati-
gue behaviour. Ovako 225A is available in different
cleanness levels (Table 3).
The normal stock material of the Ovako grade
225A is in the BQ-quality.
If the application is very highly fatigue loaded it
is recommended to use the PBQ quality which is a
very clean steel.
Figure 25. Hydraulic piston with a friction-welded end part.

12
 Yield strenght Tensile strength Elongation Area reduction Impact strength
MPa Mpa A5 % Z% + 20C 40C

>750 880 1050 > 12 > 50 > 60 > 27

Table 2. Standard mechanical properties of grade Ovako 225A.

Specification Macro inclusions Oxygen content Titanium content Macro inclusions

2
mm/dm (ppm) (ppm) A B C D
C*<.5% . 5<C<.8 C*<.8% Th He Th He Th He Th He

CQ According to customer requirements

Q 5 15 15 15 2.5 1.5 1.0 0.5 0 0 0.5 0.5
BQ 2.5 11 9 7 30 2.0 1.5 0,5 0.1 0 0 0.2 0.1
PBQ 1 9 8 7 30 1.0 0.5 0.5 0 0 0 0.2 0

* The carbon content of the steel grade

Table 3. Ovako Steel cleanliness specification. Ref 8.

5. Summary
Knowledge of how the chemical composition of
nitriding steels influences nitriding behaviour and
component properties is continuously increasing.
This knowledge improvement has made it possible
to design steel grades for attaining specific proper-
ties.
The Ovako Steel nitriding steel grade Ovako 225A
is designed to be a multipurpose steel grade with
many favourable properties which can be utilised
in a great variety of applications.
There has also been a dramatic improvement in
how to perform and how to control nitriding/nitro-
carburizing processes for attaining specific proper-
ties.
This combined increase in knowledge of how
steel chemical composition and the nitriding pro-
cess influence the properties of a nitrided compo-
nent has made it possible for nitriding/nitrocarbu-
rizing to be an attractive alternative in many
applications.

13
References
1. Y. Sun and T. Bell, Plasma surface engineering
of low alloy steel, Materials Science and
Engineering, A140 (1991) 419-434.

2. Dipl.-Ing. D. Liedtke, Nitrieren, Stahl, 447,

(1974) 3-31.

3. Tetsuo Shiraga, Nobuyuki Ishikawa, Moriyuki

Ishiguro, Hitoshi Kabasawa and Yoshihiro
Kuwahara, Rapid Nitriding Process in Gas
Nitriding, NKK TECHNICAL REVIEW, No. 75,
(1996).

4. Karl-Erik Thelning, Stl och vrmebehandling.

5. P. De la Cruz, M. Odn, T. Ericsson, Influence

of plasma nitriding on fatigue strength and
fracture of a B-Mn steel, Materials Science and
Engineering, A242 (1998) 181-194.

6. F. Hoffman, I. Bujak, P. Mayr, B. Lffelbein, M.

Gienau and K.-H. Habig, Verschleiswiderstand
nitrierter und nitrocarburierter Sthle, Hrterei-
Technische Mitteilungen, 52 (1997) 376-384.

7. Brochure METAPLAS IONON, BDAG Gruppe

Balcke-Durr AG

8. Ovako Steel Cleanliness Specification, Technical

Report 1/1998

14
 Research & Technology
S-813 82 Hofors, Sweden

Copyright Ovako Steel 1999.

The contents of this paper are the copyright
of the publishers and may not be reproduced
(even extracts) unless permission is granted.