Patent Application
20240132985
The present invention relates to a nitriding treatment method for a steel component which comprises at least two nitriding treatment steps.
For a steel component such as a gear used in a transmission for an automobile, a high pitting resistance and a high bending fatigue strength are required. In order to meet such requirements, a carburizing treatment and/or a nitriding treatment are known as a technique for reinforcing such a steel component such as a gear.
For example, JP-A-2013-221203 (JP application number 2012-095035) (Patent Document 1) has disclosed that, in order to improve a pitting resistance and/or flexural fatigue strength of a steel component, it is effective to produce an iron nitride compound layer having a γ′ phase as a main component on a surface of the steel component by a nitriding treatment.
In addition, JP-B-6378189 (Patent Document 2) has disclosed a nitriding treatment method including a first nitriding treatment step in which a nitriding treatment is performed to a steel component under a nitriding gas atmosphere of a nitriding potential for generating a nitride compound layer of a γ′ phase or an c phase, and a second nitriding treatment step in which another nitriding treatment is performed to the steel component under another nitriding gas atmosphere of another nitriding potential lower than that of the first nitriding treatment step resulting in deposition of a γ′ phase in the nitride compound layer, in order to suppress variation in mass production. Specifically, a gas nitriding treatment performed at a temperature of 600° C. using two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an H2 gas, is described as an example. More specifically, at a temperature of 600° C., a range of 0.6 to 1.51 is adopted for the nitriding potential in the first nitriding treatment step, and a range of 0.16 to 0.25 is adopted for the nitriding potential in the second nitriding treatment step.
The Patent Document 1 cited in the present specification is JP-A-2013-221203 (JP application number 2012-095035).
The Patent Document 2 cited in the present specification is JP-B-6378189. Summary of Invention
The present inventor has further studied the nitriding treatment method disclosed in JP-B-6378189 (Patent Document 2), and has found that, in a temperature range of 500° C. to 590° C., setting the nitriding potential at the second nitriding treatment step to be higher than 0.25 is more effective in depositing the γ′ phase in the nitride compound layer.
According to the present inventor, the action (reaction) in which the γ′ phase is deposited in the nitride compound layer is affected by both the nitriding potential and the furnace temperature. In a temperature range of 500° C. to 590° C., if the nitriding potential at the second nitriding treatment step is set to be 0.25 or less, an a phase which is lower in hardness than the γ′ phase is also deposited. This results in an insufficient pitting resistance and/or an insufficient bending fatigue strength.
The present invention has been made based on the above findings. It is an object of the present invention to provide a nitriding treatment method to be performed in a temperature range of 500° C. to 590° C., which enables a γ′ phase to be deposited in a nitride compound layer in a suitable manner and thus achieves a high pitting resistance and a high bending fatigue strength.
The present invention is a nitriding treatment method for a steel component, including at least two nitriding treatment steps, i.e., a first nitriding treatment step in which a nitriding treatment is performed to a steel component under a nitriding gas atmosphere of a first nitriding potential, and a second nitriding treatment step in which another nitriding treatment is performed to the steel component under another nitriding gas atmosphere of a second nitriding potential lower than the first nitriding potential, after the first nitriding treatment step, wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, the second nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, a nitride compound layer consisting of a γ′ phase, or an ε phase, or mixture of a γ′ phase and an ε phase, is generated during the first nitriding treatment step, and a γ′ phase is deposited in the nitride compound layer during the second nitriding treatment step.
According to the present invention, since the second nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C. and the second nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, the γ′ phase can be deposited in the nitride compound layer in a suitable manner while an a phase, which is lower in hardness than the γ′ phase, is inhibited to be deposited therein. Thus, a high pitting resistance and a high bending fatigue strength can be achieved.
In the present invention, for example, the first nitriding treatment step and the second nitriding treatment step may be performed in sequence in a same thermal processing furnace, which is a batch type of thermal processing furnace; three types of gases, which are an NH3 gas, an AX gas and an N2 gas, may be used in the first nitriding treatment step; a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the three types of gases constant; two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, may be used in the second nitriding treatment step; and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant.
In the above control manner, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, has been proved.
Alternatively, in the present invention, for example, the first nitriding treatment step and the second nitriding treatment step may be performed in sequence in a same thermal processing furnace, which is a one-chamber type of thermal processing furnace: three type of gases, which are an NH3 gas, an AX gas and an N2 gas, may be used in the first nitriding treatment step; a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the three types of gases constant; two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, may be used in the second nitriding treatment step; and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant.
In the above control manner as well, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, has been proved.
Alternatively, in the present invention, for example, the first nitriding treatment step and the second nitriding treatment step may be performed in sequence in a same thermal processing furnace, which is a batch type of thermal processing furnace; two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, may be used in the first nitriding treatment step; a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the three types of gases constant; two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, may be used in the second nitriding treatment step; and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant.
In the above control manner as well, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, has been proved.
Alternatively, in the present invention, for example, the first nitriding treatment step and the second nitriding treatment step may be performed in sequence in a same thermal processing furnace, which is a one-chamber type of thermal processing furnace; two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, may be used in the first nitriding treatment step; a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the three types of gases constant; two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, may be used in the second nitriding treatment step; and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant
In the above control manner as well, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, has been
Alternatively, in the present invention, for example, the first nitriding treatment step and the second nitriding treatment step may be performed in sequence in a same thermal processing furnace, which is a one-chamber type of thermal processing furnace; two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, may be used in the first nitriding treatment step; a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of one of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping an introduction amount of the other of the NH3 gas and the AX gas constant; two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, may be used in the second nitriding treatment step; and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of one of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping an introduction amount of the other of the NH3 gas and the AX gas constant.
In the above control manner as well, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, has been
Alternatively, in the present invention, for example, the first nitriding treatment step and the second nitriding treatment step may be performed in sequence in a same thermal processing furnace, which is a one-chamber type of thermal processing furnace; three types of gases, which are an NH3 gas, an AX gas and an N2 gas, may be used in the first nitriding treatment step; a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of one of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping an introduction amount of the other of the NH3 gas and the AX gas constant; two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, may be used in the second nitriding treatment step; and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step may be controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential by changing an introduction amount of one of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping an introduction amount of the other of the NH3 gas and the AX gas constant.
In the above control manner as well, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, has been
Herein, the one-chamber type of thermal processing furnace means a thermal processing furnace which does not include a chamber for a cooling step separately from a chamber for a heating step like in the batch type of thermal processing furnace (see
In addition, in the above respective inventions, it is preferable that a time for which the first nitriding treatment step is performed is longer than a time for which the second nitriding treatment step is performed. According to the inventors finding, by performing the first nitriding treatment step longer than the second nitriding treatment step, it is possible to adjust a thickness of the compound layer after the nitriding treatment to a desired thickness.
According to the present invention, since the second nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C. and the second nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, the γ′ phase can be deposited in the nitride compound layer in a suitable manner while an a phase, which is lower in hardness than the γ′ phase, is inhibited to be deposited therein.
Thus, a high pitting resistance and a high bending fatigue strength can be achieved.
An object to be processed (a work) is a steel component. Specifically, it is a steel component consisting of a carbon steel component used for a machine structure or an alloy steel component used for a machine structure, such as a gear used for an automatic transmission. For example, a plurality of cylindrical ring gears or a plurality of bottomed cylindrical ring gears are mounted on a plurality of stages of jigs, placed in a flat state in a case (described below), and subjected to a nitriding treatment.
Preferably, the steel component is pre-cleaned to remove dirt and oil before being subjected to the nitriding treatment. The pre-cleaning process is preferably, for example, a vacuum cleaning process for degreasing and drying by dissolving and replacing oil or the like with a hydrocarbon-based cleaning liquid and evaporating it, an alkali cleaning process for degreasing with an alkaline-based cleaning liquid, or the like.
As shown in
An inlet hood 22 having an openable and closable door 21 is attached to an inlet side (left side in
A fan 26 is mounted on a ceiling of the heating chamber 11 to stir the gases introduced into the heating chamber 11 so that a heating temperature for the steel component is made uniform therein. An openable and closable intermediate door 27 is attached to an exit side (right side in
The transfer chamber 12 is provided with an elevator 30 for raising and lowering the case 20 that contains the steel component. A lower part of the transfer chamber 12 is provided with a cooling chamber (oil tank) 32 in which a cooling oil 31 is stored. An outlet hood 36 having an openable and closable door is attached to an outlet side (right side in
The heating chamber 11 and the transfer chamber 12 may be the same processing space, and a configuration for air-cooling the thermally-processed steel component with a gas may be employed. Alternatively, the heating chamber 11 may be divided into two chambers, and a two-stage nitriding treatment as described below may be performed in the respective two chambers.
In the thermal processing furnace 1 as described above, the case 20 that contains the steel component is loaded into the heating chamber 11 from the loading section 10 by a pusher or the like. After the steel component (the case that contains the steel component) is loaded into the heating chamber 11, the plurality of types of process gases are introduced into the heating chamber 11, and the process gases are heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater and stirred by the fan 26 (for example, rotating at 1500 rpm) so that the steel component loaded into the heating chamber 11 is subjected to the nitriding treatment.
In the example shown in
Then, a steel component (work) is loaded into the heating chamber 11. At this time, the door 21 is opened, and thus the temperature in the heating chamber 11 is temporarily lowered as shown in
During this loading step as well, in the example shown in
Thereafter, a two-stage nitriding treatment is performed. Specifically, at first, for example, a value of 1.500 (an example of a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000) is employed as a first nitriding potential, and a first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature of 550° C.
It is known that a nitriding potential KN is represented by the following formula using P(NH3) which is a partial pressure of the NH3 gas and P(H2) which is a partial pressure of the H2 gas.
KN=P(NH3)/P(H2)3/2
In the first nitriding treatment step, P(NH3) i.e. a partial pressure of the NH3 gas in the heating chamber 11 or P(H2) i.e. a partial pressure of the H2 gas in the heating chamber 11 is measured. Then, the introduction amounts (flow rates) of the process gases are subjected to a feedback control in such a manner that a nitriding potential calculated from the measured value is brought into the vicinity of the first nitriding potential, which is a target nitriding potential.
In the example shown in
In the example shown in
Subsequently, for example, a value of 0.300 (an example of a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600) is employed as a second nitriding potential, and a second nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature of 550° C.
In the second nitriding treatment step as well, P(NH3) i.e. a partial pressure of the NH3 gas in the heating chamber 11 or P(H2) i.e. a partial pressure of the H2 gas in the heating chamber 11 is measured. Then, the introduction amounts (flow rates) of the process gases are subjected to a feedback control in such a manner that a nitriding potential calculated from the measured value is brought into the vicinity of the second nitriding potential, which is a target nitriding potential.
In the example shown in
In the example shown in
After the second nitriding treatment step has been completed, a cooling step is performed. In the example shown in
As shown in
A fan 213 is provided on a lower (inner) side of the furnace lid 212. A rotation shaft of the fan 213 passes through the furnace lid 212, and is connected to a fan motor 214, which is provided on an upper (outer) side of the furnace lid 212.
A retort 221 is provided inside the furnace wall 211. A gas guide tube 222 is provided further inside the retort 221. An outer periphery of the retort 221 is configured to be heated by a heater (not shown) so that a temperature in the furnace (in the retort 221) is controlled to a predetermined temperature. A case is configured to be placed into the gas guide tube 222. A steel component as an object to be processed (work) is configured to be contained in the case 20. The maximum gross weight to be processed is 700 kg.
A plurality of types of gases for the nitriding treatment are configured to be introduced into the retort 221 while being controlled as described below. In addition, the outer periphery of the retort 221 has a cooling function by a blower (not shown). When cooled, a temperature of the retort 221 itself is lowered, and thus the temperature in the furnace (in the retort 221) is lowered (furnace cooling).
In the thermal processing furnace 201 as described above, the furnace lid 212 is opened, and the case 20 that contains the steel component is loaded into the gas guide tube 222. After the steel component (the case 20 that contains the steel component) has been loaded into the gas guide tube 222, the plurality of types of process gases are introduced into the gas guide tube 222, and the process gases are heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater and stirred by the fan 213 (for example, rotating at 1500 rpm) so that the steel component loaded into the gas guide tube 222 is subjected to the nitriding treatment.
In the example shown in
Thereafter, a two-stage nitriding treatment is performed. Specifically, at first, for example, a value of 1.500 (an example of a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000) is employed as a first nitriding potential, and a first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature of 550° C.
As described above, it is known that a nitriding potential KN is represented by the following formula using P(NH3) which is a partial pressure of the NH3 gas and P(H2) which is a partial pressure of the H2 gas.
KN=P(NH3)/P(H2)3/2
In the first nitriding treatment step, P(NH3) i.e. a partial pressure of the NH3 gas in the gas guide tube 222 or P(H2) i.e. a partial pressure of the H2 gas in the gas guide tube 222 is measured (alternatively, a partial pressure of the NH3 gas in the exhaust gas or a partial pressure of the H2 gas in the exhaust gas may be measured). Then, the introduction amounts (flow rates) of the process gases are subjected to a feedback control in such a manner that a nitriding potential calculated from the measured value is brought into the vicinity of the first nitriding potential, which is a target nitriding potential.
In the example shown in
In the example shown in
Subsequently, for example, a value of 0.300 (an example of a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600) is employed as a second nitriding potential, and a second nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature of 550° C.
In the second nitriding treatment step as well, P(NH3) i.e. a partial pressure of the NH3 gas in the gas guide tube 222 or P(H2) i.e. a partial pressure of the H2 gas in the gas guide tube 222 is measured. Then, the introduction amounts (flow rates) of the process gases are subjected to a feedback control in such a manner that a nitriding potential calculated from the measured value is brought into the vicinity of the second nitriding potential, which is a target nitriding potential.
In the example shown in
In the example shown in
After the second nitriding treatment step has been completed, a cooling step is performed. In the example shown in
A horizontal type thermal processing furnace is basically a furnace in which a pit type thermal processing furnace is oriented horizontally. However, as shown in
The other structure of the horizontal type thermal processing furnace is substantially the same as the pit type thermal processing furnace explained with reference to
In the horizontal type thermal processing furnace as well, the furnace lid 212 is opened, and the case 20 that contains the steel component is loaded into the gas guide tube 222. After the steel component (the case 20 that contains the steel component) has been loaded into the gas guide tube 222, the plurality of types of process gases are introduced into the gas guide tube 222, and the process gases are heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater and stirred by the fan 213 (for example, rotating at 1500 rpm) so that the steel component loaded into the gas guide tube 222 is subjected to the nitriding treatment.
The process diagram shown in
According to the embodiments of the present invention as described above, it is possible to obtain a nitrided steel component including an iron nitride compound layer which has a γ′ phase as a main element (main component) on a surface thereof, regardless of whether a batch type of thermal processing furnace is used or a one-chamber type of thermal processing furnace is used.
The steel component obtained by the respective embodiments can achieve a sufficient pitting resistance and a sufficient bending fatigue strength because a nitrogen diffusion layer and a nitride are formed in the inside thereof to reinforce the same and an iron nitride compound layer rich in a γ′ phase is formed on the surface thereof.
In addition, compared with a carburizing treatment and a nitrocarburizing treatment, the nitriding treatment according to the present invention is performed at a temperature not higher than the austenite transformation temperature, so that an amount of strain is small. In addition, a quenching step, which is necessary for a carburizing treatment or a nitrocarburizing treatment, can be omitted, so that an amount of strain variation is small. As a result, a high-strength and low-strain nitrided steel member can be obtained.
(Supplementary Information about Temperature Range of Present Invention)
In the present invention, the temperature of each nitriding treatment step is 500° C. to 590° C. It is said that, when the temperature of a nitriding treatment step is higher, the productivity thereof is better. However, according to the inventor's verification, if the temperature of a nitriding treatment step is higher than 590° C., an amount (degree) of hardening is reduced and an austenite layer is formed on the surface. Thus, it is preferable that 590° C. is the upper limit. On the other hand, according to the inventor's verification, if the temperature of a nitriding treatment step is lower than 500° C., a formation speed of the nitride compound layer is slow, which is not cost effective. Thus, it is preferable that 500° C. is the lower limit.
In addition, when the difference between the temperature of the first nitriding treatment step and the temperature of the second nitriding treatment step is smaller, variation in temperature of the steel component (work) is also smaller, which can inhibit variation in nitriding quality of the steel component (work). Specifically, the temperature difference between both the nitriding treatment steps is controlled to be preferably 50° C. or less, more preferably 30° C. or less.
For a plurality of cylindrical ring gears (whose steel types may be different), using a batch type of thermal processing furnace 1, a two-stage nitriding treatment was performed according to the conditions of Table 1 shown in
In examples 1-1 to 1-9 and comparative examples 1-1 to 1-4, a first nitriding treatment step and a second nitriding treatment step were performed in sequence in the same batch type of thermal processing furnace 1.
In addition, in the first nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 1-1 to 1-9 and the comparative examples 1-1 to 1-4, three types of gases, which are an NH3 gas, an AX gas and an N2 gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the three types of gases constant.
In addition, in the second nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 1-1 to 1-9 and the comparative examples 1-1 to 1-4, two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant.
In the examples 1-1 to 1-9 and the comparative examples 1-1 to 1-4, the respective steps explained with reference to
In Table 1, an identification method for a phase was performed based on an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained by an X-ray diffraction measurement from a surface of a steel component in accordance with a 2θ-θ scanning method (MiniFlex 600 made by Rigalku, Cu tube, 40 kV-15 mA).
In addition, in Table 1, a thickness of the compound layer was measured as a thickness of a surface compound layer from a tissue observation result of a cross section which was cut in a depth direction of the nitrided steel component. It is preferable that a thickness of the compound layer rich in the γ′ phase is 4 μm to 16 μm. When it is less than 4 μm, i.e., too thin, the fatigue strength is not sufficiently improved. When it is more than 16 μm, a porous layer in the compound layer which may be an origin of fatigue crack is too thick, which deteriorates the fatigue strength.
As seen from the result of Table 1, in the control manner using the three types of gases in the batch type of thermal processing furnace, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, was proved by the examples 1-1 to 1-9.
On the other hand, at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., when the nitriding potential in the second nitriding treatment step is not higher than 0.25, the comparative examples 1-1 to 1-4 have proved that an a phase which is lower in hardness than the γ′ phase was deposited, resulting in an insufficient pitting resistance and an insufficient bending fatigue strength.
For a plurality of cylindrical ring gears (whose steel types may be different), using a pit type thermal processing furnace 201, a two-stage nitriding treatment was performed according to the conditions of Table 2 shown in
In examples 2-1 to 2-9 and comparative examples 2-1 to 2-4, a first nitriding treatment step and a second nitriding treatment step were performed in sequence in the same pit type thermal processing furnace 201.
In addition, in the first nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 2-1 to 2-9 and the comparative examples 2-1 to 2-4, three types of gases, which are an NH3 gas, an AX gas and an N2 gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the three types of gases constant.
In addition, in the second nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 2-1 to 2-9 and the comparative examples 2-1 to 2-4, two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant.
In the examples 2-1 to 2-9 and the comparative examples 2-1 to 2-4, the respective steps explained with reference to
In Table 2, an identification of a phase and a thickness of the compound layer were judged in the same manner as those in Table 1.
As seen from the result of Table 2, in the control manner using the three types of gases in the pit type thermal processing furnace, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, was proved by the examples 2-1 to 2-9.
On the other hand, at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., when the nitriding potential in the second nitriding treatment step is not higher than 0.25, the comparative examples 2-1 to 2-4 have proved that an a phase which is lower in hardness than the γ′ phase was deposited, resulting in an insufficient pitting resistance and an insufficient bending fatigue strength.
For a plurality of cylindrical ring gears (whose steel types may be different), using the batch type of thermal processing furnace 1, a two-stage nitriding treatment was performed according to the conditions of Table 3 shown in
In examples 3-1 to 3-9 and comparative examples 3-1 to 3-4, a first nitriding treatment step and a second nitriding treatment step were performed in sequence in the same batch type of thermal processing furnace 1.
In addition, in the first nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 3-1 to 3-9 and the comparative examples 3-1 to 3-4, two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant.
In addition, in the second nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 3-1 to 3-9 and the comparative examples 3-1 to 3-4 as well, the two types of gases, which are the NH3 gas and the AX gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing the introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping the total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant.
In the examples 3-1 to 3-9 and the comparative examples 3-1 to 3-4, the respective steps explained with reference to
In Table 3, an identification of a phase and a thickness of the compound layer were judged in the same manner as those in Tables 1 and 2.
As seen from the result of Table 3, in the control manner using the two types of gases in the batch type of thermal processing furnace, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, was proved by the examples 3-1 to 3-9.
On the other hand, at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., when the nitriding potential in the second nitriding treatment step is not higher than 0.25, the comparative examples 3-1 to 3-4 have proved that an a phase which is lower in hardness than the γ′ phase was deposited, resulting in an insufficient pitting resistance and an insufficient bending fatigue strength.
For a plurality of cylindrical ring gears (whose steel types may be different), using a pit type thermal processing furnace 201, a two-stage nitriding treatment was performed according to the conditions of Table 4 shown in
In examples 4-1 to 4-9 and comparative examples 4-1 to 4-4, a first nitriding treatment step and a second nitriding treatment step were performed in sequence in the same pit type thermal processing furnace 201.
In addition, in the first nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 4-1 to 4-9 and the comparative examples 4-1 to 4-4, two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing an introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping a total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant.
In addition, in the second nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 4-1 to 4-9 and the comparative examples 4-1 to 4-4 as well, the two types of gases, which are the NH3 gas and the AX gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing the introduction amount of each of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping the total introduction amount of the two types of gases constant.
In the examples 4-1 to 4-9 and the comparative examples 4-1 to 4-4, the respective steps explained with reference to
In Table 4, an identification of a phase and a thickness of the compound layer were judged in the same manner as those in Tables 1 to 3.
As seen from the result of Table 4, in the control manner using the two types of gases in the pit type thermal processing furnace, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, was proved by the examples 4-1 to 4-9.
On the other hand, at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., when the nitriding potential in the second nitriding treatment step is not higher than 0.25, the comparative examples 4-1 to 4-4 have proved that an a phase which is lower in hardness than the γ′ phase was deposited, resulting in an insufficient pitting resistance and an insufficient bending fatigue strength.
For a plurality of cylindrical ring gears (whose steel types may be different), using a pit type thermal processing furnace 201, a two-stage nitriding treatment was performed according to the conditions of Table 5 shown in
In examples 5-1 to 5-9 and comparative examples 5-1 to 5-4, a first nitriding treatment step and a second nitriding treatment step were performed in sequence in the same pit type thermal processing furnace 201.
In addition, in the first nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 5-1 to 5-9 and the comparative examples 5-1 to 5-4, two types of gases, which are an NH3 gas and an AX gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing an introduction amount of one of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping an introduction amount of the other of the NH3 gas and the AX gas constant.
In addition, in the second nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 5-1 to 5-9 and the comparative examples 5-1 to 5-4 as well, the two types of gases, which are the NH3 gas and the AX gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing the introduction amount of the one of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping the introduction amount of the other of the NH3 gas and the AX gas constant.
In the examples 5-1 to 5-9 and the comparative examples 5-1 to 5-4, the respective steps explained with reference to
In Table 5, an identification of a phase and a thickness of the compound layer were judged in the same manner as those in Tables 1 to 4.
As seen from the result of Table 5, in the control manner using the two types of gases in the pit type thermal processing furnace, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, was proved by the examples 5-1 to 5-9.
On the other hand, at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., when the nitriding potential in the second nitriding treatment step is not higher than 0.25, the comparative examples 5-1 to 5-4 have proved that an a phase which is lower in hardness than the γ′ phase was deposited, resulting in an insufficient pitting resistance and an insufficient bending fatigue strength.
For a plurality of cylindrical ring gears (whose steel types may be different), using a pit type thermal processing furnace 201, a two-stage nitriding treatment was performed according to the conditions of Table 6 shown in
In examples 6-1 to 6-9 and comparative examples 6-1 to 6-4, a first nitriding treatment step and a second nitriding treatment step were performed in sequence in the same pit type thermal processing furnace 201.
In addition, in the first nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 6-1 to 6-9 and the comparative examples 6-1 to 6-4, three types of gases, which are an NH3 gas, an AX gas and an N2 gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the first nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the first nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing an introduction amount of one of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping an introduction amount of the other of the NH3 gas and the AX gas constant.
In addition, in the second nitriding treatment step of each of the examples 6-1 to 6-9 and the comparative examples 6-1 to 6-4 as well, the three types of gases, which are the NH3 gas, the AX gas and the N2 gas, were used, and a nitriding potential during the second nitriding treatment step was controlled to be close to the second nitriding potential (KN), which is a target nitriding potential, by changing the introduction amount of the one of the NH3 gas and the AX gas while keeping the introduction amount of the other of the NH3 gas and the AX gas constant.
In the examples 6-1 to 6-9 and the comparative examples 6-1 to 6-4, the respective steps explained with reference to
In Table 6, an identification of a phase and a thickness of the compound layer were judged in the same manner as those in Tables 1 to 5.
As seen from the result of Table 6, in the control manner using the three types of gases in the pit type thermal processing furnace, the effectiveness of the present invention wherein the first nitriding treatment step is performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the second nitriding treatment step is also performed at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., wherein the first nitriding potential is a value within a range of 0.300 to 10.000, and wherein the second nitriding potential is lower than the first nitriding potential and is a value within a range of 0.253 to 0.600, was proved by the examples 6-1 to 6-9.
On the other hand, at a temperature within a range of 500° C. to 590° C., when the nitriding potential in the second nitriding treatment step is not higher than 0.25, the comparative examples 6-1 to 6-4 have proved that an a phase which is lower in hardness than the γ′ phase was deposited, resulting in an insufficient pitting resistance and an insufficient bending fatigue strength.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-023129 | Feb 2021 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2022/006065 | 2/16/2022 | WO |
