6. Surface treatments – applications

6.1 Cementation

The mechanical properties required at the core call for a carbon-rich steel: the possible gain in hardness through carburizing, i.e. carbon enrichment of the surface layer, is therefore limited.

6.2 Nitriding

Nitriding enriches the surface layer with nitrogen by diffusion. The concentration of nitrogen after treatment varies from maximum at the surface to zero at the core.

Depending on the process used, there is a risk of obtaining a layer of iron nitride...