Vacuum thermal processing is vital for automotive and aerospace component manufacturers due to industry demands for the highest possible quality. Brazing and surface treatment are two process areas where vacuum technology is used.

We continue to review some of the most important materials in heat treatment and metallurgy.  

Gas carbonitriding is a modified form of the carburizing process and is not a form of nitriding. In this process, both carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) are introduced into the surface of the steel by introducing ammonia (NH3) and a hydrocarbon enriching gas into the furnace atmosphere in order to add nitrogen to the carburized case as it is being produced.

We continue to review some of the most important materials in heat treatment and metallurgy.

We continue to review some of the most important materials in heat treatment and metallurgy.

The father of the endothermic gas generator was a gentleman by the name of Norbert K. Koebel, who was fond of saying to young engineers such as The Doctor, “Treat ‘em right and they’ll treat you right.”

We continue to review some of the most important materials in heat treatment and metallurgy.

We continue to review some of the most important materials in heat treatment and metallurgy.

Most heat treaters are aware of many failure phenomena, perhaps the most well-known of which is hydrogen embrittlement (aka hydrogen-assisted cracking). But there are several other types, such as liquid-metal embrittlement, that we must understand as well. Let’s learn more.

The nitriding process begins at the surface of the part with the formation of a compound (aka white) layer, which depends to a large extent on the composition of the steel (in particular, the carbon content).