Nitriding Process for Crankshafts
Uploaded by
jeshua97kingNitriding Process for Crankshafts
Uploaded by
jeshua97kingNITRIDING
of Crankshafts
What is Nitriding?
• Is a surface hardening process used to improve the wear resistance,,
fatigue strength, and overall durability of the crankshaft.
• Process involves diffusing nitrogen into the surface of the crankshaft
material, typically steel, to create a hardened layer.
Nitriding Process
• The entire steel must be in temper before the nitriding process is done.
• Typically involves heating the crankshaft to a specific temperature (400oC-590oC)
in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere (liquid or gas).
• Allows nitrogen to diffuse into the surface of the material, forming nitrides such
as iron nitride.
• The nitrides are harder than the base material increases the surface
hardness of the crankshaft.
Hardening at low
temperatures
takes more time
but reduces the
risk of distortion.
Microstructure Analysis
Microstructure Analysis
Depth of
0.1 - 0.5mm
Advantages of Nitriding
1. Increased surface hardness – creates a hardened layer on the surface
2. Improved fatigue strength – hardened surface layer makes it more
resistant to cyclic (repetitive) loading
3. Enhanced wear resistance- nitride CRSFTs are better able to withstand
wear from friction and other forces, increasing their lifespan.
4. Reduced distortion – compared to other heat treatment processes,
nitriding can result in less distortion of the crankshaft, maintaining its
dimensional stability.
5. Stops metal from softening when being treated.
6. Increase tensile strength and yield point.
7. Improves corrosion resistance (except for stainless steel)
Nitriding Limitations
• Process is not suitable for all types of steel.
• Limited in terms of depth of the hardened layer that can be achieved.
• If a deeper layer is required other surface hardening such as
carburizing or induction hardening may be more suitable.