A heat treating process used to harden the surface metal parts by heating the part to a high temperature in a chamber filled with a nitrogen-rich gas. When the gas touches the heated part, it causes the gas molecule to break down, and the nitrogen atoms diffuse into the outer surface of the heated part, creating a nitride layer.
Gas nitriding can occur in some additive manufacturing processes when the build chamber is filled with nitrogen or a nitrogen-rich gas. Or it can be used as a heat treatment in post-processing to create a hardened surface.
Categories: Manufacturing Term, Post-Processing
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