Ferrite Nitrocarburizing : What Is FNC???
Ferritic Nitro-Carburizing (FNC) is a thermochemical surface hardening process using diffusion of both nitrogen and carbon into the heat-treated part. This treatment is mainly used to improve wear and fatigue resistance along with enhancing resistance to corrosion. Low-alloy steel parts are most suitable for this process.
Nitrocarburizing (FNC) using a Flex vacuum furnace system not only improves surface hardness qualities, but significantly reduces cycle time, optimizes energy consumption, and improves thereby increasing productivity. In comparison to a standard Nitriding process, it also takes much less time to achieve case depth requirements, mainly in part due to the addition of carbon to achieve faster diffusion.
Application
Drivetrain parts (wear plates, washers, clutch plates, gas/brake pistons, ball pivots/joints, pneumatic lift pistons, brake rotors)
Firearm components (barrels, slides, differential cases)
High pressure castings (engine blocks, bell housings, transfer cases)
Tooling applications
Nitrocarburizing treatment of housings reduce space requirements by limiting use of washers and pins. This treatment provides resistance to wear and adhesion on the surface of the housing that might come into friction with rotating gears or pinions. These pinion shafts (used in a differential assembly) are also highly prone to wear because the gears placed onto the shaft rotate the surface. When nitrocarburizing on a pre-treated material (e.g. 4140; for acceptable mechanical strength), you will see improved anti-seizure resistance.More than 80% of vehicles currently delivered in USA and Canada are equipped with FNC-treated brake discs.
Advantages
Reliable, consistent retort temperature does not cool during process operation
Separate heating & cooling chambers to expedite throughput
Improved mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and fatigue strength
Increased efficient process repeatability & uniform production flow
Positive workload movements via lift-and-carry (never push/pull)
Full workload transport to/from the Flex is available
Eco-friendly electric heating
Thermal afterburning after vacuum pump - encapsulated/one TNV per line
