HEAT TREATMENT COVENTRY LTD
Carbonitriding Heat Treatment
Carbonitriding introduces carbon and nitrogen into the surface of suitable steels before hardening to develop a wear-resistant case.
01
What the Process Is
Carbonitriding is a thermochemical case-hardening process. It differs from carburising because nitrogen is introduced as well as carbon, affecting hardenability and the resulting surface properties.
02
How the Treatment Works
Components are heated in a controlled atmosphere that supplies carbon and nitrogen. After diffusion, a specified quench and tempering route is used to develop the case. The precise cycle is selected from the material and required result.
03
Why Engineers Specify It
It can be useful for relatively shallow cases and wear-loaded components made from suitable steels, particularly where the specification calls for the carbonitriding process.
04
Typical Components and Applications
- Small gears and levers
- Pins, fasteners and bushes
- Stampings and machined components
- High-volume or small-batch wear parts where technically suitable
05
Materials, Specification and Process Control
State the material grade, case-depth and hardness requirements, component condition and governing specification. Carbonitriding should not be substituted for another process without engineering approval.
Important: suitability depends on the exact material grade, component condition, geometry and required specification. Please provide these details for technical review before treatment.
Related Heat-Treatment Services
Not every component needs the same thermal cycle. Explore our full heat-treatment services or discuss the drawing and performance requirement with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Carbonitriding introduces both carbon and nitrogen and normally includes a hardening step; nitriding is a different treatment.
Carbonitriding adds nitrogen as well as carbon and is often specified for different case-depth, material or production requirements.
Identify the process, case-depth definition, hardness range, material grade and any areas requiring protection.
Request a Carbonitriding Quotation
Tell us the process, material or steel grade, quantity, component dimensions and required specification. We will review the information and advise on the next step.