Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Carburizing, Plasma Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing on Performance Characteristics and Life Cycle of Automotive Components
Abstract
Automotive powertrain and chassis components operate under severe tribological and cyclic loading conditions. Surface engineering via thermo-chemical case hardening is therefore central to achieving high wear resistance, fatigue strength and durability while controlling cost and distortion. This review comparatively evaluates three widely adopted diffusion-based surface treatments—carburizing, plasma nitriding and nitrocarburizing—with a focus on their application to automotive components such as gears, shafts, cams, valves and brake discs. The paper discusses fundamental mechanisms, typical process windows, microstructure–property relationships and performance outcomes. Comparative data are synthesized for surface hardness, case depth, wear rate, fatigue life and corrosion resistance, along with their impact on life cycle and cost. Representative numerical values from recent experimental studies are organized in tables and conceptual plots to enable data-driven selection of the most appropriate process for a given component and loading condition.
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