Science, Maths & Technology
Plasma nitriding/carburising
...source is hydrocarbon gas (methane or propane), often diluted with nitrogen, hydrogen and argon, which is bled into the vacuum chamber at a few litres per minute. Very little exhaust gas results, hence no risk of pollution. Surface of component is cleaned by “sputtering” and hydrogen reduction of any oxides. “Sooting” – which occurs in low pressure gas...