Development of ion-plasma nitriding technology of titanium alloys
Summary
The Physical-Technical Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus carries out a wide range of research in the field of metal hardening and surface engineering. The results of the research can be used in aerospace, medical, chemical industries and in electronics manufacture.
Description
Among the materials of modern technology, titanium alloys take an important place, due to the unique combination of physical, chemical, mechanical and technological titanium properties: high fusion temperature, low density, corrosion resistance, non-magnetization, low module of elasticity, rather high hardness, thermal expansion low coefficient etc. Titanium and its alloys have found widespread application in aircraft engineering, medical, chemical, petrochemical, cellulose-paper and food industries, non-ferrous metallurgy, power-plant engineering, electronics, electrodeposition, weaponry manufacture etc. [br][/br]For wear resistance increasing, fatigue strength and anticorrosion workpieces properties of aeronautical engineering, technological equipment and components from titanium and its alloys, various methods are used in the world practice. The nitriding provides maximum effect. By now for surface hardening processes research, gas nitriding was used primarily, which has extremely long process (until 30 hours). Besides that, plasma-arc low-temperature nitriding of workpieces was applied. However, equipment for implementation of mentioned methods is characterized with a vacuum chamber low volume and, as a rule, doesn’t allow holding a processing of overall and massive workpieces. [br][/br]Meanwhile, as the analysis of available literature data and own preliminary researches of the project authors was shown, ion nitriding in a glow discharge plasma is the most promising method of titanium alloys surface hardening. It provides a high speed of titanium alloys surface saturation with nitrogen, obtaining of hardened layers 0,07-0,2 mm thickness, depending on titanium alloy grade, possibility of surface layer structure controlled obtaining, while maintaining the mechanical properties of the material, taking into account the specific conditions of workpieces using. IPN has high level of flexibility and reproducibility of the achieved results.[br][/br]
Technology Type
Process
Material
Technology Benefits
Ion-plasma nitriding technology of titanium alloys allows reducing the total processing time by 2-3 times, reduces the consumption of working gases by 10 times in comparison with gas nitriding. The ion-plasma nitriding technology is safe for the environment. Computer control of a saturation process makes it possible to obtain diffuse layers of a required composition and thickness.
Technology Differentiation and Uniqueness
New technology
Technological Keywords
Coatings[br][/br]Surface treatment (painting, galvano, polishing, CVD, ..)[br][/br]Metals and alloys[br][/br]Non-ferrous metals[br][/br]Properties of materials, corrosion/degradation[br][/br]
Development Stage
Applied research
Results of demonstration test available
Intellectual Property Rights
Secret Know-How
Range of Applications
Surface treatment (painting, galvano, polishing, CVD, ..)
Classifier Used at the Enterprise Europe Network
Automotive, Transport and Logistics
Healthcare
Space and Aerospace
Classifier Used at the Technology Transfer Network of yet2.com Inc.
Aerospace
Automotive
Health, Wellness, Personal Care
Materials
Techniques
Preferable Regions
North America
South America
Europe
Asia
Africa
Australia
Practical Experience
Available for demonstration
Environmental Impact
No
Type of Collaboration Sought
R&D Contract
License
Terms&Restrictions
No
Available Technical Assistance
Documentation
Personnel
