B. Edenhofer, Ipsen Inc., Cherry Valley, IL

Summary: Solution nitriding, or the Ipsen SolNit® process, is a newly developed thermo-chemical heat treating process for case-hardening of stainless steels. Stainless steels, if treated with normal nitriding or carburizing processes, lose most of their corrosion resistance due to the formation of chromium nitrides or carbides. The Ipsen patented case hardening process is very different from conventional nitriding process. It creates a nitrogen rich case depth up to 2.5 mm (0.100 inch) deep on parts made of either austenitic or martensitic stainless steels and preserves corrosion resistance. This paper will discuss the background theory, micro-structural consideration, applicability, and present results of solution nitriding in Ipsen’s high pressure gas quench furnaces.