Carburizing and Nitriding Model

Carbide Formation and Decomposition During LPC and Gas Carburizing

During carburizing—especially low-pressure carburizing (LPC)—alloy steels containing carbide forming elements may form carbides. If not properly controlled, these carbides can negatively affect surface carbon levels, hardness, and fatigue performance.

In high-alloy steels, carbide formation during LPC boost steps is often unavoidable. These carbides can supply additional carbon during subsequent diffuse steps. This extra carbon as well as the coarsening rate, carbide formation, and decomposition rate directly influences:

  • Surface carbon
  • Case depth
  • Carbide distribution
VCarb utility showcasing carbide formation during LPC

DANTE Nitriding Model

The DANTE Nitriding Model simulates nitrogen diffusion and the nitride phase evolution.

The model accounts for:

  • Nitrogen diffusion
  • Formation and dissolution of ε-nitride (white layer)
  • Formation and dissolution of γ-nitride (alloy nitride)
  • Material volume expansion caused by nitriding

 

Because nitriding induces volumetric expansion and phase transformation strains, these effects must be included for accurate residual stress and distortion prediction.

DANTE nitriding model example

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