Titanium Surface Nitriding via High-Flow Gas and Induction Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for forming a hardened nitrided layer on titanium materials are time-consuming, requiring several hours at high temperatures, and often necessitate specialized equipment, limiting their application in industries needing improved abrasion resistance.

Innovation Solution

A surface nitriding treatment method involving high-frequency induction heating of titanium materials to 800°C to 1000°C with nitrogen gas at a flow rate of 70 L/min or more, combined with a blasting material to form a hardened nitrided layer in 1 to 60 minutes, enhancing abrasion resistance without requiring complex apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If thermal nitriding treatment is used to form a hardened nitrided layer on titanium material, then abrasion resistance is improved, but treatment time becomes excessively long (several hours)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by significantly increasing the treatment temperature to 900°C or higher (above conventional nitriding temperatures) and controlling the holding time within 1-60 minutes. This temperature-time parameter combination enables rapid formation of a hardened nitrided layer with thickness of 10 μm or more, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient abrasion resistance and minimizing treatment time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action through surface roughening treatment (such as shot peening or sandblasting) before nitriding. This creates surface irregularities that enhance nitrogen absorption and accelerate nitride formation, allowing the hardened layer to develop rapidly at high temperature without requiring extended treatment time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If ion nitriding or plasma nitriding is used to form a hardened nitrided layer, then treatment time is reduced, but specialized apparatus is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment timeVSAvoidapparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex specialized apparatus (ion implantation equipment or plasma generators) with a simple conventional furnace that can achieve high temperatures. The method uses readily available nitrogen gas and basic heating equipment, eliminating the need for costly specialized devices while maintaining rapid treatment capability through the high-temperature short-duration process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If conventional thermal nitriding is used, then simple apparatus is sufficient, but treatment time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus simplicityVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the conventional thermal nitriding parameters by increasing the temperature to 900°C or higher and reducing the holding time to 1-60 minutes. This parameter change transforms the traditionally slow process into a rapid treatment while still using simple apparatus, resolving the contradiction between apparatus simplicity and treatment efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method efficiently produces a hardened nitrided layer with superior abrasion resistance in a shorter time frame than conventional methods, improving production efficiency and mechanical properties of titanium materials.

Implementation Method 1

a hardened nitrided layer is formed on the surface of the titanium material by blowing nitrogen gas at a flow rate of 70 L/min or more to the surface of the titanium material while the titanium material is being heated to 800°C to 1000°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

surface nitriding treatment method of performing a nitriding treatment of a surface of a titanium material by using nitrogen gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNitriding: Nitriding

Implementation Method 3

the titanium material is heated by a high-frequency induction heating method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 4

the titanium material is heated by a high-frequency induction heating method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 5

the nitrogen gas contain a blasting material, the blasting material be jetted to the surface of the titanium material being heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet erosion: Jet Erosion

Data Source

PatentEP3296419B1Method for surface nitriding titanium material
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 NETUREN CO LTD

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for surface nitriding a titanium material as a convenient method for forming a hardened and nitrided layer having excellent wear resistance on the surface of a titanium material in a short period of time. In order to achieve this purpose, the present invention adopts a method for surface nitriding a titanium material characterized by blowing a nitrogen gas at a flow rate of at least 10 L/minute on the surface of a titanium material while heating the titanium material to 800°C-1000°C in an inert gas atmosphere to form a hardened and nitrided layer on the surface of the titanium ma - terial.