Saturday, April 2, 2011

MagnaTech Tackles Nitriding of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel

MagnaTech has been working on development of new processes for carburizing, nitriding or carbonitriding martensitic stainless steels.This effort has been prompted by a Phase I and a Phase I Option Navy contract. MagnaTech is currently awaiting notification as to whether they will be granted a Phase II contract to continue the program and scale up the effort for production. MagnaTech has applied for patents for protection of the developed property.
Recently Magna-Tech has become involved with the nitriding of 17-4 PH stainless steel. These stainless steels have a more corrosion resistant chromium oxide surface layer. For the nitride source to penetrate the surface and deposit on the surface for subsequent diffusion, the protective oxide film must be reduced. Many techniques have been tried with most being unsuccessful. These techniques include hydrogen reduction, acid solutions, and mechanical impingement of media on the surface. Any success has been classified as proprietary. Magna-Tech intends to use its knowledge of surface chemistry to resolve the problem. In the interim, Magna-Tech is looking for a company to partner with to provide an immediate temporary solution. Our customer has three parts to nitride, and they are two months late in delivery. Therefore if you are currently practicing nitriding, Magna-Tech would be delighted to work with you to satisfactorily solve this problem and for you to gain a new customer.