Seco\/Warwick, Poland, has introduced a new gas nitriding technology called ZeroFlow to the global industry in cooperation with scientists from the Poznan University of Technology. ZeroFlow reduces process costs while providing more ecologically friendly performance.<\/p>\n
Nitriding is one of the most widely used thermochemical treatment processes for producing surface hardened layers. Today it is used wherever steel parts are manufactured, for example, gears, bushings, shafts, dies, punches, or molds, used mainly in the machinery, automotive, aerospace, mining, or toolmaking industries.<\/p>\n
It uses a composition-controlled mixture of ammonia and diluent gases, primarily in the form of dissociated ammonia or nitrogen to control the nitrogen potential, which is the primary driver of the nitriding process. A characteristic feature is a need for a continuous flow of atmosphere through the furnace, that is, inflow and outflow.<\/p>\n
ZeroFlow nitriding is distinguished by the fact that the nitrogen potential is controlled by introducing the right portion of ammonia at the right time and only ammonia, instead of a continuous flow of a mixture of ammonia and diluent gas. Consequently, the ZeroFlow method uses the minimum amount of ammonia needed to achieve the required nitrogen potential and replenish the nitrogen in the atmosphere, taking into account the situation where no ammonia is supplied to the furnace at all, no flow, hence the suggestive name of the solution, ZeroFlow.<\/p>\n