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 prior to carburizing, nitriding or nitrocarburizing using as a starting material one or more nitrogen and carbon containing compounds, wherein the article is treated with one or more of the N/C-compounds and/or intermediate decomposition products thereof in form of solids, liquids and/or gases. The activated article can be carburized, nitrided or nitrocarburized in shorter time at lower time 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 carburized, nitrided or nitrocarburized.