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Ion nitriding is one of the surface modification processes to get better wear resistance of the component. Maraging steel (250 Grade) is used to manufacture a critical component in the control surface of a combat aircraft. This part requires high strength and good wear resistance. Maraging steels belong to a new class of high strength steels with the combination of strength and toughness that are among the highest attainable in general engineering alloys. Good wear resistance is achieved by ion-nitriding (also called as plasma nitriding or glow discharge nitriding) process of case nitriding. Ion nitriding or Plasma nitriding is a method of surface hardening using glow discharge technology to introduce nascent (elemental) nitrogen to the surface of a metal part for subsequent diffusion into the material.
In this paper ion nitriding of maraging steel is discussed. To evaluate the process and the properties obtained after nitriding, Tests carried out include Visual check, Surface hardness check, Case depth measurement Micro structural study, Charpy impact test, Tensile test, Salt spray test etc. Results obtained are presented in this paper. This process is suitable for getting better wear resistance for components with complex shape and critical in application.
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