Liquid nitriding (ferritic nitrocarburizing) is a precise thermochemical diffusion treatment for hardening components with exceptional repeatability. The process, which has a long and powerful history, begins with immersion of ferrous parts in a molten nitrogen-bearing salt bath, at subcritical temperatures. When followed by oxidation and a finishing treatment, the result is a combination of surface characteristics unrivaled by any process. Liquid nitriding preserves dimensional stability, and can produce extraordinary levels of corrosion protection, even in highly aggressive work environments. Components that have been liquid nitrided exhibit exceptional long-term resistance to wear, seizure, scuffing, adhesion and fatigue.
Melonite® and Arcor® (a.k.a. Sursulf™) are the premier liquid nitriding processes worldwide. Both are supplied, throughout North America, exclusively by H.E.F. USA and its licensees. Both processes are compliant with AMS 2753B and are widely specified for critical components throughout industry.
Melonite® technology is specified by manufacturers because it offers exceptional performance, flexibility, and repeatability of results. The relatively low temperature of the Melonite® process minimizes distortion and keeps dimensional changes to a minimum. In addition to drive trains, jet engines and defense weaponry, Melonite® is used in the communications, petrochemical, tire manufacturing and sporting goods industries.
Melonite®QPQ™ starts with the Melonite process, follows with a proprietary AB-1 oxidizing salt bath post-treat and finishes with mechanical polishing and reimmersion in AB-1. This quench-polish-quench (QPQ) sequence after liquid nitriding gives most ferrous metals a surface conditioning that protects against corrosion and wear better than hard chrome or nickel plating for many applications.
Arcor®N is brought to you exclusively by H.E.F. USA. This treatment improves conventional liquid nitrocarburizing with a simple, more cost-effective solution. This technology begins with the use of an ionic liquid media, followed by rinsing, an oxidizing bath to enhance corrosion performance, and finishes with polymer impregnation which seals the superficial voids in the iron oxinitride.
Arcor®V was engineered specifically for processing austenitic stainless steel engine valves. This application provides two valuable benefits: a shorter process cycle and results with exceptionally high uniformity.
For more information on Liquid Nitriding products and applications provided by H.E.F. USA contact us.
