Scuffing resistance of salt bath nitrocarburized medium carbon steel

The usefulness of the ferritic nitrocarburizing treatment for improving the tribological properties of ferrous components is well established. However, the thin compound layer of beneficial epsilon carbonitride that develops at the surface lacks the ability to bear high Hertzian stresses. Nitrocarburizing in the austenite phase field of the Fe-N-C system overcomes this disadvantage since the formation of a hard zone of martensite-bainite below the compound layer provides the back-up to withstand point loads. Results of the Falex scuffing test indicate that the failure load increases on account of the thicker compound layer at the surface. The results indicate further that the frictional heat generated during the test coupled with working by the jaws convert the retained austenite present in the sub-compound layer to harder microconstituents. The study suggests that the austenitic treatment could be, useful for applications involving simultaneous heat and work such as hot working dies. © 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.