The surface hardening of automotive valves presents a major challenge for many heat treatment processes. The reasons for this include the following:
This involves the treatment of high-alloy steels.
The tolerances for the diffusion layer thickness are very narrow.
Demands for dimensional stability and form retention are high.
Valves must not scratch.
Large piece quantities are produced.
Plasma nitriding of valves
In comparison with hard chrome plating, and other nitriding processes, plasma nitriding is a very efficient and environmentally friendly way of treating valves. Plasma nitriding offers the following benefits, including:
Perfect reproducibility
Option of treating at low temperatures
Substances harmful to the environment are not used
Optimum automation capability
We would like to present you with one of our fully automated systems for treating valves. In this case, our customer was able to replace chrome plating by using the Eltropuls process. In doing so, the customer saves on costs and helps protect the environment.
ELTROPULS assignment
Piece quantity 120,000 valves per workday
4 different component types
2 different materials (X50CrMnNiNbN21.9 and X45CrSi9.3 steel)
Please click & open the attached PDF file to read about the Eltropuls solution for this Assignment & to read the full article.
