Steel is a very strong material. But it wouldn’t be nearly as strong without a series of processes carried out before it goes on the market.
One of the most common thermochemical processes for reducing the risk of wear in steel is carbonitriding: the metal is treated at high temperature (around 800 °C) in an atmosphere rich in carbon and nitrogen. At the end of the process the metal is much tougher and more robust, the risk of wear is significantly reduced, and the material is ready to be used.
Although it may seem an aggressive process, carbonitriding can in fact be applied to many types of steel and is also ideal for thin components such as gears, pistons, rollers and bearings.
All metals are treated to make their surface much sturdier and more resistant; otherwise they would not be as durable as they are when we use them.
The advantages of a process like carbonitriding are many: among them is the ability to strengthen even unalloyed, free-machining and structural steels. And that’s not all: it also makes it possible to keep a tough, elastic core, or even to harden only certain areas of the part (for example those in direct contact with other components).