Melonite Finish

[MadMango]

My company uses a lot of Melonite QPQ finishes for parts. This process is a bit expensive and I am trying to research alternate processes. Any help or suggestions would be welcome.

Melonite™ and Melonite QPQ™ are thermochemical processes intended for the case hardening of iron based metals. These processes are categorized as molten salt bath ferritic nitrocarburizing. During these processes, nitrogen, carbon, and small amounts of oxygen are diffused into the surface of the steel, creating an epsilon iron nitride layer (e - FexN).

More information and greater detail can be found here:

http://www.burlingtoneng.net/melonite/default.asp

Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[TVP]

Kolene is another company that performs salt bath nitriding, as well as licensing out their process to other companies. They also have a QPQ process (not sure if Melonite or Kolene used the term first?). Use the following link for more information:

http://www.kolene.com

 

[MadMango]

TVP, thanks for the link.

I was looking for a process that wasn't based on salt bath nitriding (figuring cost would be similar for similar processes), that will provided for the case hardening we are looking for, with good corrosion protection and dimensional stability.

Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?