T.T.N.
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Heat treatment, coating and integrated machining
for high-performance metal components
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Steel nitriding: wear resistance and dimensional stability with minimal distortion
Nitriding is a thermochemical treatment that improves the surface properties of steels by diffusing nitrogen into the outer layer of the material. Unlike other treatments, it is carried out at relatively low temperatures, making it possible to achieve significant surface hardening without compromising the dimensional stability of the component.
This makes nitriding particularly suitable for finished components or components machined to tight tolerances, where avoiding distortion or geometric variation is essential. At T.T.N. S.p.A., the treatment is defined according to the type of steel, the component’s operating conditions, and the required characteristics, choosing between gas and plasma nitriding according to the specific application.
The result is a surface with high wear resistance, increased hardness, and improved in-service performance, without the need for further corrective machining.
Available nitriding methods
Different nitriding technologies make it possible to treat the surface of the material with varying degrees of process control, layer uniformity, and precision, depending on the characteristics of the component and the required performance.
Gas nitriding
Gas nitriding is carried out in controlled-atmosphere furnaces, where nitrogen is diffused into the material through specific gases.
Plasma nitriding
Plasma nitriding uses an ionized process in a vacuum environment, allowing more controlled nitrogen diffusion and greater treatment precision.
It is particularly suitable for complex components or applications that require very precise control of the nitrided layer.
When to choose nitriding
Nitriding is the ideal choice when it is necessary to:
- improve resistance to surface wear
- increase fatigue resistance
- maintain the dimensional stability of the component
- avoid distortion on already machined parts
It is particularly suitable for finished or semi-finished components, where subsequent corrective machining is not possible.
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Reliability Forged in Every Treatment
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Operational benefits of nitriding
Nitriding delivers tangible benefits for components that need to maintain precision and reliability over time, even under demanding operating conditions.
No significant distortion
Guaranteed high surface hardness
Longer component service life
Improved performance under friction
Nitriding and complementary treatments
Nitriding can be combined with other treatments to achieve even more specific performance characteristics.
In particular:
- it can be combined with preliminary heat treatments to prepare the structure of the material
- it can be followed by surface coating, such as PVD coating, to further improve wear resistance and reduce friction
Together, these treatments form an integrated process cycle tailored to the material’s real operating conditions.
