Microstructural and topographical studies of DC-pulsed plasma nitrided AISI 4140 low-alloy steel

摘要

The influence of DC-pulsed plasma nitriding time on the surface properties of AISI 4140 low-alloy steel has been investigated. The samples were nitrided in an industrial equipment using a gas mixture consisting of 25% N-2 + 75% H-2 and the DC-pulsed glow discharge time was varied between 1 and 28 h. Optical and scanning electron microscopy as well as X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis and microhardness measurements have been used to study the ion-nittided surfaces.