Liquid nitrocarburization
Tribological performance for demanding industries
With over 60 years of experience in the development of thermochemical treatments, HEF is a world leader in the field of liquid ionic nitriding. These technologies have been and are continuously improved to meet the technical, economic, and environmental needs of industrial sectors such as mobility, construction, defense, and decarbonized energy.
Thanks to its international network, HEF makes its technologies and its extraordinary capabilities available worldwide.
Our range of treatments
Advantages of CLIN™ technologies
CLIN™ technologies are proven alternatives to many surface treatments.
HEF positions its CLIN™ technologies as ideal alternatives to harmful processes, such as hard chrome plating, electroless nickel plating, or gas nitriding.
These various advantages allow us to address different markets:
· Mobility
· Construction
· Decarbonized energy
· Defense and aerospace
Liquid nitrocarburizing processes allow the treatment of all types of ferrous materials, from cast irons to high-alloy steels.
CLIN™ technologies consist of a combination of steps of which liquid nitrocarburizing is the main component.
This combination allows for multiple characteristics, making processes like ARCOR® complete and versatile treatments.
CLIN™ treatments provide significant improvements in:
· friction
· protection against corrosion
· fatigue resistance
· resistance to abrasive wear
· resistance to adhesive wear (galling)
The various CLIN™ product lines are developed to meet the constraints and tribological challenges faced by industrial users. The parameters of the CLIN™ processes are adaptable to achieve the desired performance.
Depending on the treatment range and the steel composition, the obtained properties can reach:
· Surface hardness of up to 1200 HV
· Up to 1000 hours of corrosion resistance in salt spray test (ISO 9227)
Application examples:
· pivot pins
· gas springs
· hydraulic cylinders
· differential systems
· braking components
Controlled vertical integration
Through its vertical integration approach and in order to guarantee the quality of its nitriding treatments, HEF has acquired expertise in the following areas:
· Research and development, for the continuous improvement of our technologies;
· The design, manufacturing, optimization, and maintenance of our industrial equipment;
· The chemistry of salts and other consumables;
· The preparation and adjustment of surface conditions through mechanical finishing;
· Waste management through recycling, to achieve maximum zero waste.
Relying on its vertical integration strategy, the HEF group continues to innovate, in particular by developing and patenting its ECO-CLIN™ recycling process.
This integration model allows HEF to operate according to different business models adapting to customer needs: from providing services within our Techniques Surfaces entities, to technology transfer through which HEF offers equipment and consumables.
ECO-CLIN™ – A recycling process that enables the circular economy of CLIN™ technologies
Established within our Green Centers, our recycling sites on different continents, ECO-CLIN™ limits the impact of nitrocarburizing technologies on natural resources while securing the supply of raw materials to our Green Centers.
Recycling waste to obtain consumables that can be used directly in CLIN™ processing lines means:
1. A reduction in the impact on natural resources.
2. An increase in the long-term competitiveness of treatments, enabling the group.
3. Local manufacturing of consumables, as close as possible to the production lines present worldwide, thereby limiting the CO₂ footprint of consumables by reducing transport needs.
The upcycling of waste generated by CLIN™ technologies into new consumables, with an upcycling rate of 99%, promotes a circular economy model and, at the same time, offers industries a sustainable and more responsible technology.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fundamental concept of Liquid Nitriding?
Liquid Nitriding, also known as liquid nitrocarburizing, is a thermochemical surface treatment in which nitrogen, and to a lesser extent carbon, diffuse into the surface of iron-based materials. This process generates a layer of iron-nitrogen compounds that improves surface properties, increasing wear resistance, reducing friction, protecting against corrosion, and improving fatigue resistance.
What types of materials can be treated with CLIN?
The CLIN™ treatment can be applied mainly to:
- Carbon steels
- Alloy steels
- Cast irons
In carbon steels, the treated layer usually presents a greater diffusion depth, although the surface hardness achieved is generally lower compared to alloy steels.
In alloy steels, the opposite occurs: the diffusion depth is lower, but a higher surface hardness is obtained, which is particularly interesting for applications subjected to intense wear or high loads.
What about stainless steel? The CLIN™ treatment can be applied to stainless steels, which will then acquire the properties and corrosion resistance characteristic of the CLIN™ process.
The CLIN treatment can be interesting for replacing a stainless steel with a carbon steel treated with CLIN™, thus achieving an optimal balance between hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, cost, and durability.
The process is adjusted according to the material and the expected performance to ensure the best balance between treated depth and surface hardness.
What advantages does CLIN have over gas nitriding/plasma?
The CLIN™ treatment offers several advantages over other types of nitriding (gas/plasma):
- Greater corrosion resistance and better friction characteristics.
- More homogeneous treatment throughout the part, even in complex geometries.
- Greater repeatability and reproducibility, batch after batch.
- Less distortion of the treated parts.
- Robust and easily controllable process, adapting to different shapes and sizes.
- Shorter and more agile process, allowing for more efficient production times.
- Environmentally friendly, with no harmful emissions associated with the treatment.
In summary, CLIN™ combines effectiveness, consistency, homogeneity, and sustainability, making it an ideal solution for parts that require high surface performance without compromising the core of the material.
What advantages does CLIN have over hard chrome/nickel?
The CLIN™ treatment can be an effective alternative to hard chrome or electroless nickel, offering several advantages:
- Greater corrosion resistance compared to traditional coatings.
- No risk of delamination of the applied layer.
- Better wear resistance, thanks to the tribological properties of the surface layer.
- Better fatigue resistance as it is a diffusion treatment and not a surface coating.
- Absence of microcracks, ensuring the integrity of the part.
- Lower friction coefficient, improving tribological performance.
- Environmentally friendly, with no harmful emissions or hexavalent chromium.
In summary, CLIN™ combines durability, reliability, and sustainability, making it an ideal solution for parts subjected to intense wear or critical applications.
Is liquid nitriding a coating?
No. Liquid nitriding is not a coating or a material addition. It is a thermochemical diffusion process that modifies the surface of the treated component.
The generated layer forms an integral part of the base material, which guarantees excellent adhesion and eliminates the risk of flaking or detachment.