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Description
The present study examines the surface modification of tool steel 1.2343 by ion nitriding. Prior to the chemical-thermal treatment process, the specimens of the investigated steel were subjected to quenching and tempering. The heat treatment included vacuum quenching and triple tempering, achieving structural stabilization before the diffusion saturation process.
Ion nitriding was carried out at a temperature of 490°C for 16 hours. Microstructural analysis revealed that no compound layer consisting of ε and γ′ phases was formed; instead, a diffusion layer with uniform thickness (250 µm) was observed. The influence of the ion nitriding process on the resulting hardness was investigated, as well as the variation of hardness with depth—from the surface to the core of the specimens. Tribological tests were performed to determine the coefficient of friction and the wear rate after the diffusion saturation process.