Thermochemical processes are an appropriate way to improve the surface hardening of the material against wear. Thermal spraying is a group of deposition processes that can deposit different classes of materials. The use of thermomechanical process after metallic coatings deposition can result in a unique combination of bulk and surface properties. There are some studies that indicate the defects and stresses caused in the crystal lattice as one of the factors that most influence nitrogen diffusion during the nitriding process. The HVAF (High Velocity Air-Fuel) process can generate different fault conditions and stress-strain in the crystal lattice. The aim of this work is study the effect of the plasma nitriding or, as it is known, Glow Discharge (GD), on FeMnCrSiNi coating deposited with HVAF process. Initially, it was observed the formation of expanded austenite and CrN on the HVAF coating, followed by important increase on the hardness of the coating.

This study compares the effects of plasma nitriding and nitrocarburizing treatments on HVOF sprayed stainless steel coatings with different crystal structure. The treatments were conducted at 550 °C for 10 h in a gas mixture of N 2 and H 2 for nitriding and N 2 , H 2 , and C 2 H 2 for nitrocarburizing. Optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, and XRD show that the treatments produced thick nitride layers consisting of a compound layer and a nitrogen diffusion layer. The treatments increased not only the surface hardness, but also the load bearing capacity of the coatings due to the formation of CrN, Fe 3 N, and Fe 4 N phases. Plasma nitrocarburized 410 stainless steel had the highest microhardness and load bearing capacity because of the precipitation of Cr 23 C 6 on the surface.

In this paper, spectroscopic and electrostatic probe measurements are made to examine the characteristics of a supersonic dc plasma jet near the surface of titanium plate during a nitriding treatment. The low-pressure nitriding process is done using a mixture of ammonia, nitrogen, and hydrogen gasses. Heating effects from the plasma are evaluated with nickel slug and thermocouple attached to the plate. The authors present the results of their study along with observations, insights, and suggestions on how to improve plasma nitriding processes. Paper includes a German-language abstract.

Chemical reactions between melted materials and their gaseous environment are generally inherent to the thermal spray process. Measures to promote and control these reactions are the distinguishing characteristic of reactive plasma spraying. In this paper, Ti-6Al-4V nitrided coatings are produced by high-pressure reactive plasma spraying. The coatings are deposited at different pressures up to 250 kPa in a reactive nitrogen atmosphere as well as air in order to study the influence of spraying pressure and atmosphere. The microstructure and phase composition of the Ti-6Al-4V layers are examined with the aid of X-ray analysis, microprobe measurements, and electron imaging. The investigations show that the pressure-supported nitrogen application during spraying led to the formation of fine and coarse TiN in the Ti matrix. Paper includes a German-language abstract.