Abstract
In this study, the effect of a hybrid surface modification process; combination of a fine particle peening (FPP) treatment and nitriding, on microstructure of pure iron and SCM435H steel was investigated. Surface microstructures of treated specimens were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES). It was clarified that the fine grains generated by FPP facilitated the nitrogen diffusion. Moreover, in the case of SCM435H steel, hybrid surface modification changed the diffusion behavior of Cr and Fe elements, resulting in generating the higher hardness layer in comparison to the nitrided specimen.
