Abstract
The structural and tribological properties of plasma nitrided and nitrocarburized AISI 4140 steel were characterized using X-Ray diffraction, SEM, microhardness tester and pinondisc tribotester. It was observed that case depth and surface hardness obtained in the plasma nitriding were higher than nitrocarburizing. However, it was found that the plasma nitrocarburized specimens showed high surface roughness and lower wear rate because of ε phase presented at the outer surface in nitrocarburizing treatments. The lowest wear rate was obtained after austenitic plasma nitrocarburizing.

Key words
plasma nitriding, nitrocarburizing, tribology

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