Modeling of the Diffusion Process of Nitrogen Redistribution in Steel during Complex Ion Nitriding

Abstract:

A computer program in Python was developed based on the mathematical model, which allows obtaining preliminary calculations of the diffusion coefficient and nitriding time of a punch part. As a result of a numerical experiment, the process of nitrogen diffusion into the depth of the part was studied. The redistribution of nitrogen occurs as a result of diffusion due to the nitrogen concentration gradient in the volume of the part and the high quenching temperature. The numerical experiment confirms the full-scale experiment. Nitrogen penetration into the depth of the metal occurs precisely at the quenching temperature. The nitrogen content in the internal nitriding zone due to the nitrogen released from the surface layer increases and decreases on the surface with the exposure time of the part. Computer modeling and research of the diffusion coefficient in the process of heat treatment after ion nitriding made it possible to establish that for tool steels, diffusion along grain boundaries occurs. Thus, the use of complex ion nitriding (CIN), i.e. ion nitriding and subsequent heat treatment of nitrided parts allows you to change the phase composition and increase the depth of the nitrided layer due to nitrogen doping, control the nitrogen concentration and hardness along the depth of the nitrided layer due to selected modes.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 1163)
• Pages: 3-10
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-2cQ4eo
• Online since: October 2025
• Authors: Svitlana Shevchenko, Olena Horova, Mykola Pogribniy, Aleksey Vasilchenko*, Olena Rebrova
• Keywords: Complex Ion Nitriding (CIN), Diffusion Coefficient, Diffusion Process Modeling, Heat Treatment, Ion Nitriding, Nitrided Layer, Nitrogen Alloying, Steel

References

[1] M. Pogribniy, O. Rebrova, S. Shevchenko, A. Vasilchenko, Improving the Quality of Heat Treatment Using Microwave Heating of Products with a Complex Profile of Hardened Surfaces. Solid State Phenomena. 364 (2024) 39–45.

DOI: 10.4028/p-kmy1av

[2] A.O. Andreev, V.A. Aleksandrov, O.S. Zhirov, O.V. Sobol, V.O. Stolbovy, S.V. Shepel, S.M. Shevchenko, Patent for utility model No. 117008 Ukraine, MPK S 23 S 14/32, S 21 D 1/06. Method of chemical-thermal treatment of steel products / applicant and patent holder Institute of Solid State Physics, Materials Science and Technologies. NNCHFTI, No. U2017 00038; appl. 03.01.2017; publ. 12.06.2017, Bull. No. 11.

[3] S.M. Shevchenko, Technological support of wear resistance of machine parts by methods of chemical-thermal and diamond-abrasive treatments. 05.02.08 Technology of mechanical engineering: dissertation for obtaining the art. Candidate of Technical Sciences. 2021.

[4] V.O. Stolbovyi, Physical and technological foundations of the formation of multilayer nanostructured vacuum arc coatings based on nitrides of refractory metals. 01.04.07 Solid state physics: abstract of the dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences. Kharkiv-2021.

[5] Heat Treatment Optimization and Nitriding Effects on Mechanical Properties of 32CrMoV12-10 Steel Fatih DEMİR1, Muhammed Bora AKIN1, Ahmet YARTAŞI1* 1Çankırı Karatekin University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Çankırı, 18100, Turkiye, 121.

[6] V.S. Antonyuk, D.V. Prikhozha, A.V. Rutkovsky, Investigation of the parameters of the surface layer formed by ion-plasma thermocyclic nitriding. National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute", Institute of Strength Problems named after G.S. Pisarenko of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

DOI: 10.33842/2313-125x-2022-24-79-86

[7] R.M. Dzhus, M.G. Stadnichenko, V.M. Stadnichenko, S.A. Pleshkunov, Microstructural and phase features of the surface layer strengthened by ion-plasma nitriding as a factor in increasing fatigue strength. Kharkiv National University of the Air Force named after I. Kozhedub, Kharkiv Collection of scientific papers of the Kharkiv National University of the Air Force. 1(63) (2020) 89–95.

DOI: 10.52254/1857-0070.2022.1-53.10

[8] M. Bosyakov, S. Bondarenko, A. Bondarenko, A. Maiseyenka, Technology and Equipment for ion chemical-heat treatment of agricultural machinery parts. Engineering for rural development Jelgava. 23-25.05.2018. 1329.

DOI: 10.22616/erdev2018.17.n115

[9] A. Galdikas, T. Moskalioviene, Modeling of stress induced nitrogen diffusion in nitrided stainless steel. Surface and Coatings Technology. 205 12 (2011) 3742–3746.

DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2011.01.040

[10] Yu.M. Lakhtin, Ya.D. Kogan, G. Shpis, Z. Bemer, Theory and technology of nitriding: monograph, Metallurgy, 1991, 320 p.

[11] N.E. Pogrebna, V.Z. Kutsova, T.V. Kotova, Mechanical stability of materials. Textbook, Dnipro, NmetAU, 2021, 109 p.

[12] E.J. Mittemeijer, M.A.J. Somers, Thermochemical Surface Engineering of Steels. Cambridge, Elsevier Ltd, 2015, 816 p.

[13] S.M. Shevchenko, O.S. Terletsky, O.P. Horova, O.V. Sobol, T.O. Protasenko, O.M. Rebrova, Computer modeling of nitrogen redistribution in technologies of complex ion nitriding of alloyed steels, Bulletin of the Kharkiv National Automobile and Road University. Kharkiv, KhNADU. 91 (2020) 58–69.

DOI: 10.30977/bul.2219-5548.2020.91.0.58

[15] S.R. Hosseini, F. Ashrafizadeh, A. Kermanpur, Calculation and experimentation of the compound layer thickness in gas and plasma nitriding of iron. Iran. J. of Sci. &Techn.. Trans. B: Engineer.. 34 B5 (2010) 553–566.

[16] A.G. Fesenko et al. Surface hardening methods in the process of manufacturing machine parts: tutorial, D.: RVV DNU, 2015. 104 p.

[17] Avala Lava Kumar, Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering (MME) Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla-768018, 516 p.

DOI: 10.30919/esmm1161