What Is Tufftride Treatment?

Key Takeaways

• Tufftride treatment is a surface treatment with a thin layer thickness of about 0.01 to 0.3 mm, (0.0004 to 0.012 inches) resulting in minimal dimensional change.

• Tufftride treatment increases surface hardness and also provides corrosion resistance comparable to plating.

Overview

Tufftride treatment, also known as salt bath nitrocarburizing, is a surface hardening process used to increase the durability of steel and cast iron components. During the process, parts are immersed in a salt bath (typically a mixture of potassium chloride and sodium chloride) at 500–600°C (932–1,112°F). This forms a thin nitride layer on the surface, enhancing surface hardness, fatigue strength, wear resistance, and seizure resistance.

Tufftride treatment is commonly applied to sliding components, such as crankshafts, bearings, and other parts that require improved durability under friction.

Characteristics of Tufftride Treatment

Tufftride treatment is performed at a temperature below the transformation point of steel or cast iron, so deformation is minimal and the surface finish remains uniform. However, in materials with residual stress, the process may relieve stress and cause slight deformation.

The layer formed by Tufftride treatment is relatively thin, about 0.01 to 0.3 mm (0.0004 to 0.012 inches), so the dimensional change effect is minimal. It is important to note that because the hardened layer is thin, it is not suitable for parts that require high hardness and high impact resistance.

Tufftride treatment hardens only the surface, so if internal hardening is required, other treatments such as quenching should be used.

For metals like carbon steel that do not form a passive film, Tufftride treatment also provides corrosion resistance.

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