New method of nitrocarburizing of X37CrMoV5-1 hot working tool steel in chemically active fluidized bed

摘要

Purpose: This paper presents a new method of nitrocarburizing in chemically active powders fluidized by mechanical vibrations.Design/methodology/approach: The research in the field of microstructure (light microscopy), hardness, wear resistance and impact strength was carried out on specimens made of X37CrMoV5-1 alloy tool steel subjected to nitrocarburizing at a temperature 560°C with thermo-chemical treatment time 4 and 8 hours.Findings: The obtained results were related to the steel subjected to conventional heat treatment consisting of quenching and tempering. Conducted nitrocarburizing processes enabled the formation of layers with parameters similar to the layers obtained using other nitrocarburizing techniques, such as box methods in chemically active powders or in gaseous atmospheres.Practical implications: As a result of nitrocarburizing strengthened steel had significantly higher hardness and wear resistance than the material subjected to conventional quenching and tempering.Originality/value: Obtained diffusion layers confirmed the possibility of the practical use ofstudied fluidized bed nitrocarburizing technology for thermo-chemical treatment especiallyfor tools designed for plastics processing.