RUBIG’s PLASNIT® processes are the ultimate in nitriding technology. The MICROPULS® technology developed by RUBIG is utilized in RUBIG systems to perform plasma nitriding processes in premium quality. PLASNIT® is an environmentally friendly option with improved corrosion properties that ensures highest reproducibility with narrow tolerances. A variety of PLASNIT® process types is available, and RUBIG’s special treatment PLASOX® is achieved through controlled post-oxidation. Innovations such as PLAPOL help continue to advance PLASNIT® treatments.
Plasma nitriding is the technological peak of the nitriding procedure and provides considerable advantages as compared to the salt bath and gas nitriding. Since plasma nitriding is normally performed at lower treatment temperatures, it is the heat treatment with the lowest risk of deformation. Due to the large variability of the process control, the steel characteristics, the customer demands and the restrictions posed by the respective pre-treatment can be considered during plasma nitriding in a very good manner. The nitriding cast depth, the surface hardness and the compound layer thickness can be well achieved over a broad range of the steels.
Under our brand name PLASNIT®, we offer our customers highly developed plasma nitriding heat treatments for a wide range of steel types. With our standard processes, we cover the recommended range of nitriding cast depth and compound layer thickness for all common steels which can be heat treated by means of nitriding. A list with the most common steels/materials and their achievable values in our standard processes can be found here.
Our strength is the individual development of plasma nitriding processes in order to comply with your requirements in respect to nitriding case depth, compound layer thickness, corrosion protection and oxide layer thickness - for individual parts up to large scale production. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions regarding our PLASNIT® processes. We will be pleased to advise you, whether regarding the steel selection or application-oriented surface treatment - we would be pleased to assist you.
In order to be able to quickly perform the plasma nitriding process or to advise you, we kindly ask you to provide us with the following information on the parts to be treated and the requirements:
PLASOX® is the abbreviation for plasma and oxidation and refers to our PLASNIT® processes with subsequent oxidation.
With this targeted post-oxidation, an oxide layer is embedded in the compound layer which results in an improvement of the slip characteristics and the corrosion resistance. This combination of plasma nitriding and post-oxidation can be performed in one process or in two individual processes.
Due to the PLASOX® treatment, the components become dark grey to matt black. We recommend our PLASOX® treatment for components which require a certain corrosion protection and act as a friction partner for another hardened part.
Our PLAPOL layer is introduced into the surface by means of a diffusion process at low temperatures. The objective is (similar to nitriding) to embed atoms in the matrix of the steel without formation of compounds (e.g. nitride or the formation of a compound layer).
Thus, PLAPOL is ideally suited for tools made of tool steels whose tempering temperature is above 400°C (e.g. 1.2343, 1.2311, 1.2316, 1.2083). The PLAPOL layer with a diffusion thickness of 10-70 µm has a hardness exceeding 1,000 according to Vickers, a high resistance to wear and can be polished and is suited for repair welding.
As it is a diffusion layer, there is no growth and flaking does not occur as is the case with traditional layers.
Due to the low treatment temperature, the risk of deformation is negligible. Due to the low hardening depth, we recommend the PLAPOL treatment only for quenched and tempered or hardened steels.