Wear Behavior of White Layer in Plasma Nitrided H13 Steel at Ambient and Elevated Temperatures

In this study, AISI H13 steel was plasma nitrided in two different atmospheres, containing 25%N-2-75%H-2 and 4%N-2-96%H-2 at a constant temperature of 530 degrees C and 6h-holding time. Dry wear behavior of nitrided samples was determined with pin-on-disc method at 25 degrees C and 500 degrees C, under 10N and 30N loads. The results indicated that the nitrided steels, which had a thin multiple phases white layer (produced at 4%N-2-96%H-2 atmosphere), didn't have any wear resistance in ambient and elevated temperatures. However, the nitrided steels, having thick single phase white layer (produced at 25%N-2-75%H-2 atmosphere), showed better wear resistance in ambient temperature than in elevated temperature.