Title: Surface microporous formation on AISI 4140 using combination of diffusion treatment after nitriding gas in muffle reactor

Authors: Komang Astana Widi; Wayan Sujana; Teguh Rahardjo

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology Malang, Karanglo Street Km 2., East Java, Indonesia ' Mechanical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology Malang, Karanglo Street Km 2., East Java, Indonesia ' Mechanical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology Malang, Karanglo Street Km 2., East Java, Indonesia

Abstract: Steel with microporous formation on surface layers is very important as self-lubricant and damping material. In this new method, AISI 4140 steel was subjected in two step combination treatment. First step is boost nitriding gas in fluidised bed reactor for 4 hours at 550°C and the second step is diffusion nitriding gas for 2 h at 550°C in muffle reactors. The diffusion without protective gas where air was present was applied after nitriding treatment in muffle reactors to release excess nitrogen which leads to microporous formation. This mechanism significantly increases surface porosity. The microporous formation at ε layer during diffusion at nitriding process is controlled by reaction formation of N₂, NO, Cr₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ which depends on the atmosphere condition in the muffle reactor. The dynamics of atoms during these formations create tensile and compressive stress in the grain boundary that increases porosity formation.

Keywords: microporous; self-lubricant; damping; diffusion; nitriding; muffle.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2020.112285

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2020 Vol.14 No.4, pp.320 - 335

Received: 08 May 2019
Accepted: 16 Jul 2019
Published online: 06 Jan 2021 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article