Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
(OP)
Hello all,
I am planning the buildup of a Ford 390 FE engine for street cruising and occasional strip use in my 1966 Galaxie 500XL. This engine will not be built until next winter, but I am trying to plan as much of it out as I can now so I don't run into too many problems when the time comes.
My question is regarding Ion Nitriding. I have heard about this process briefly before regarding it's use on engine blocks, crankshafts & connecting rods as a way to increase the surface hardness of them. This months AM&P mag has a good article regarding the history and how this process works. I am investigating having this work done on my engine to increase the durability of it.
Does the Ion Nitriding process change the physical dimensions of the part being nitrided? Is there any growth (depending on material) seen when this process is done? I will be purchasing a used 390 engine block and a new cast steel crankshaft for this engine and would like to have these nitrided to increase their strength. If the engine block was nitrided would this be done before or after all of the machining operations (bore & hone cylinders, align hone crank journals?
I am planning on having the corners of the journals on the crankshaft radiused as this is a common process to reduce the stress risers that occur there and am also planning on having the journals micropolished. I am assuming that if I have the nitriding done this will all be after the final machining operations so that the "case" depth will not be reduced and that machining the hardened surface will be difficult and time intensive.
Please offer any advice which you might have regarding this topic.
Thanks,
Chad Zeilenga
SealMaster Bearings
Co-op Engineer
I am planning the buildup of a Ford 390 FE engine for street cruising and occasional strip use in my 1966 Galaxie 500XL. This engine will not be built until next winter, but I am trying to plan as much of it out as I can now so I don't run into too many problems when the time comes.
My question is regarding Ion Nitriding. I have heard about this process briefly before regarding it's use on engine blocks, crankshafts & connecting rods as a way to increase the surface hardness of them. This months AM&P mag has a good article regarding the history and how this process works. I am investigating having this work done on my engine to increase the durability of it.
Does the Ion Nitriding process change the physical dimensions of the part being nitrided? Is there any growth (depending on material) seen when this process is done? I will be purchasing a used 390 engine block and a new cast steel crankshaft for this engine and would like to have these nitrided to increase their strength. If the engine block was nitrided would this be done before or after all of the machining operations (bore & hone cylinders, align hone crank journals?
I am planning on having the corners of the journals on the crankshaft radiused as this is a common process to reduce the stress risers that occur there and am also planning on having the journals micropolished. I am assuming that if I have the nitriding done this will all be after the final machining operations so that the "case" depth will not be reduced and that machining the hardened surface will be difficult and time intensive.
Please offer any advice which you might have regarding this topic.
Thanks,
Chad Zeilenga
SealMaster Bearings
Co-op Engineer





RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
I guess that I have only heard of Ion Nitrided cylinder sleeves. The purpose which I was seeking for nitriding the engine block would be to reduce the cylinder wall wear as the block is very strong originally. What do you mean by "line of sight" process?
Chad
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
1. Nitriding may be done only after all machining operations such as grinding, lapping, polishing, etc. are completed. The nitrided case becomes glass hard, very brittle and is approx. Rockwell C 70.
2. No operations can be done after nitriding.
3. There willl be a slight (0.1%) growth after nitriding.
Regarding your application - nitrided surfaces do not hold lubricant very well. The nitrided case is very brittle. Will these be problems? Also, take into consideration the materials and functions of the mating parts.
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
John Woodward
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
Would you have the name of the place in Melbourne that is setting up for Nikasil coating.
chadzeilenga:
Your best bet might be to have the block cryo-aged then nikasil coat the bores, this will help.
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
They are:-
LM Electroplating Industries
7 George Circuit
BRIAR HILL Vic 3088
Australia
Phone: 61 3 9435 7029
Fax: 61 3 9432 1995
www.electrosil.com.au
They actually call their process "Electrosil" as Nikasil is registered and requires an expensive licence.
Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
My last post should have been addressed to willeng, not John
Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Cast Iron Engine Block Nitriding
Thanks for the info, I think I am going to only get the crankshaft nitrided, as it is going to be new.
Chad