Process for ion nitriding aluminum or aluminum alloys

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A process is disclosed for ion nitriding an article made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The article is disposed in a sealed vessel and the oxygen gas in the vessel is removed. The surface of the article is then heated to a prescribed nitriding temperature, and the surface of the article is activated to facilitate the formation of an aluminum nitride layer by the subsequent nitriding treatment. Thereafter the article is subjected to ion nitriding, thereby forming an aluminum nitride layer having excellent wear resistance and high hardness. This ion nitriding treatment for aluminum material can be carried out at temperatures lower even than a solution treatment temperature of aluminum …