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Ion (Plasma) Nitriding

UltraGlow® Ion Nitriding (also known as Plasma Nitriding) is a case-hardening treatment which uses glow discharge technology to introduce nitrogen ions to the surface of a metal for diffusion into the part.

Parts Under Glow at Advanced Heat Treat Corp.
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The Ion (Plasma) Nitriding Process

The ion nitriding process is carried out in a vacuum vessel where a high-voltage electrical charge forms plasma, causing nitrogen ions to accelerate and impinge on the metal. When the nitrogen ions bombard the part they heat up the metal, clean the surface, and absorb nitrogen into the surface. This process is sometimes referred to as ion nitrocarburizing or plasma ferritic nitrocarburizing (FNC).

Benefits of UltraGlow® Ion Nitriding:

  • Extends part/tool life
  • Selective hardening process
  • Reusable masking (versus coatings or other surface treatments)
  • Adds performance, fatigue strength and endurance
  • Enhances surface lubricity
  • Minimal growth/distortion
  • Reduces erosion
  • Increases material flow in molds and dies
  • Cleans the part

AHT UltraGlow® Ion Nitriding Capabilities:

The working parameters of Advanced Heat Treat Corp.'s ion nitriding equipment are very large, up to 160" in diameter, 360" in length, and up to 60,000 lbs. in weight. (View video of our longest part ever here.)

Advanced Heat Treat Corp.'s UltraGlow® Ion Nitriding is your answer to an economical way of heat treating rolls, shafts, extruder screws, stamping dies and much more, and over 50 nitriding vessels are offered between three Advanced Heat Treat facilities: 

ALABAMAIOWAMICHIGAN

Why Choose AHT for Nitriding?

  • Have 40+ years of nitriding experience

  • Offered in Alabama, Iowa and Michigan

  • Over 50 nitriding vessels - of all sizes

  • TheMonty has stated that AHT's CEO and founder is "the man most responsible for making plasma nitriding a mainstream process in North America"

  • Our senior scientist, Dr. Glow, wrote the chapter on "Controlling Plasma Nitriding" in ASTM International (2017) as well as "Nitriding Titanium Alloys" in the ASM Handbook (2016)

  • AHT is Nadcap accredited* and can certify to the AMS 2759/8 specification among a number of other specifications. Please inquire for additional information. 

*Click here to view certificate. 

Ion Nitrided GearsCommon Materials for Ion Nitriding

Austenitic stainless steel (200, 303, 316, etc.); Martensitic stainless steel (410, 416, 440, etc.); Precipitation hardening stainless steel (17-4PH, 15-5PH); Nitralloy-135M; Medium carbon steel (4140, 4340, etc.); Hot work tool steel (H10, H11, H13); Mold steel (P2, P5, P20); Nickel based alloy (718, 768 inconel); Titanium; plus many more. Talk to your AHT rep for details. 

Learn about Heat Treating / Ion Nitriding even more with these whitepapers, case studies, etc.

CLICK HERE