Abstract
We have been investigating the nitrogen penetration mechanism into high carbon chromium bearing steel JIS-SUJ2 on carbonitriding processes. In the course of carbonitriding experiments under various conditions and EPMA analyses, the influences of carbon activity and base gas components on nitrogen penetration behavior were examined. As a result, the nitrogen penetration content of steel increased with the decrease of carbon activity and H2 partial pressure, and with the increase of undecomposed NH3 partial pressure. While, the partial pressures of CO and N2 had almost no effect.
