A METHOD OF ACTIVATING AN ARTICLE OF PASSIVE FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METAL PRIOR TO CARBURISING, NITRIDING AND/OR NITROCARBURISING

摘要

A method of activating an article of passive ferrous or non-ferrous metal by heating at least one compound containing nitrogen and carbon, wherein the article is treated with gaseous species derived from the compound. The activated article can be subsequently carburised, nitrided or nitrocarburised in shorter time at lower temperature and resulting superior mechanical properties compared with non-activated articles and even articles of stainless steel, nickel alloy, cobalt alloy or titanium based material can be carburised, nitrided or nitrocarburised.