Ion-nitriding of an Fe-19 wt % Cr alloy

The ion-nitriding behaviour of an Fe-18.75wt% Cr alloy was investigated at 803 K under constant plasma conditions. Both a thin surface layer of γ′-Fe₄N and an internal-nitriding layer were observed. The nitride formed in the internal-nitriding layer was found to be CrN, rather than Cr₂N. The hardness of the nitriding layer rises to Hv=1200 due to small CrN precipitates. The growth rate of the internal nitriding layer, in the present alloy is controlled by a nitrogen diffusion process in the matrix metal, α-iron. Because such ion-nitriding behaviour is analogous to that of internal-oxidation, the growth rate of nitriding was discussed according to the rate equation to that of internal-oxidation. The nitrogen diffusion in the present alloy is scarcely affected by the CrN precipitates.