Hardening Wear Resistant Coatings by Heat Treat? Yes!

Does hardening wear resistant coatings created by heat treat? Of course. But, with so numerous processes available, where do you start? How do you choose?

Start with an understanding of your metal chemistry. For example, dimensionally stable steels, those with higher carbon and higher chromium content, are known for their great level of resistance to wear. Because of chromium, other favorable carbide forming elements too, like tungsten, manganese or molybdenum, can produce high hardness.

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But, besides alloy composition, consider material stress relief, tempering or austenitizing temps. If you want the best distribution of carbide, hardness quality of the metallic matrix, that is.

How do we define hardness, anyhow? Generally speaking, hardness is a measurement of a surface's ability to resist indentation, deformation, when another object is applied with pressure against it. Values reflect specific loads, over given places, by counter-face indentation, of known material properties.

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Heat treatment options are wide and vary. And they're very specific. So, do know the variations among these thin films. Otherwise, negative outcomes can include, depending on metal and heat treat process, inter-granular (oxidation) cracking, the breakdown in the grain boundary, precipitant formation, retained austenite, and other issues.

"Ion nitriding" steel, for example, involves diffusion of nitrogen into the metal. Based on reactions between electrically ionized nitrogen with alloying elements, harder surfaces, though superficial, are formed. Another choice in heat treating is "carburizing." There, higher temperatures are needed to diffuse carbon into the metal surface, to a specific depth, for the manufacturing of martensite.

Before you choose your heat treat, understand these processes, their effects on metallurgy, and what surface properties best fit your needs. Only then, will your hardening put on resistant coatings serve you best!

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