Purpose

This specification establishes requirements and procedures for generating nitrided surfaces on steel parts using a process controlled by the nitriding potential. See definition of compound layer in 8.5.1.

Application

The nitriding process described herein is used typically to produce a nitride case on carbon and alloy steels, tool steels, nitriding steels, corrosion resistant steels and other ferrous alloys. Applicable, allowance should be made for growth (See 8.4).

Specifically, the nitriding process described herein is recommended for those nitriding applications where engineering drawings do not permit a white layer or only a limited white layer thickness.

Classification

The nitriding processes described herein, are classified as follows:

Class 0

No white layer permitted. (Not recommended for stainless steels.)

Class 1

0.0005 inch (0.013 mm) maximum white layer thickness permitted.

Class 2

0.001 inch (0.025 mm) maximum white layer thickness permitted.

If no class is specified, Class 2 applies. Class 2 is not recommended for corrosion resistant steels.