Plasma Nitriding of Gear Wheels in Mass Production

Detailed studies carried out by the Ford Motor Co. and the Machine Tool Institute of the Rhine-Westphalian Technical University in Aachen have shown that plasma nitriding can replace conventional carbonitriding case hardening treatments in gearing applications. It has been demonstrated that root and flank strengths comparable with those produced on case hardening gears can be obtained. The use of the process has enabled both operating and manufacturing costs to be substantially reduced. As a result of this investigation, Ford has installed a plasma nitriding unit in its tractor plant in Antwerp, Belgium. This unit is fully integrated into the production lines and is capable of treating a range of gear components.