Surface nitriding of metals by plasma processing

Abstract

Our original nitriding techniques with atmospheric-pressure plasmas are introduced. Using a pulsed-arc plasma jet and a dielectric barrier discharge we achieved surface hardening of steel and a titanium alloy. The treatment system for atmospheric-pressure plasma nitriding is considerably simpler and easier-to-use than that of conventional plasma nitriding. With these systems we focus on the development of a new treatment method suitable for high-mix low-volume manufacturing, for which there is demand to disseminate widely across Society 5.0.