Variation of the Compound Layer Structure by Controlled Gas Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing

Abstract In order to enhance the load capacity, gears can be nitrided. The diffusion zone, measurable by the nitriding hardness depth, is considered to be the parameter governing for the high load-bearing capacity of nitrided gears. The wear behavior of gears is mainly determined by the characteristics (phase, porosity and chemical composition) of the compound layer but the influence of the compound layer on the load carrying capacity is not known yet. In this work, nitriding treatments for gears were developed with the aim to create compound layers with varying thickness, composition and properties in order to ensure a maximum load carrying capacity for nitrided gears.