ECM FLex and nitriding

The ECM Flex system has so far enabled all types of processes, except nitriding and nitrcarburizing. But because the word FLEX offers flexibility, a new nitriding module has been added to the existing variability of the device. It is therefore possible to combine all heat treatment processes in vacuum in one device, with full automation of these processes. But because the nitriding cell is intended only for this purpose, is permanently at temperature, permanently saturated with ammonia, nitriding and nitrocarburizing processes will be significantly shorter compared to classic single-chamber furnaces of the IVA or KGO type. What takes, for example, 16 hours in classic nitrocarburizing, we will finish here in 4 – 6 hours.

And if it is necessary to perform post-oxidation, in water vapor, in N2O, in air, then another chamber is intended for this. By separating these two processes, it also solves the problem of different temperatures between the actual nitrocarburizing and post-oxidation, as well as the problem of corrosion of the nitriding furnace retort, when combining the two processes together results in the formation of ammonia water NH3.H2O with a strongly corrosive effect. And because in the end, we also have rapid cooling in the form of a quenching chamber with 20 bar gas, or an inlet/outlet chamber with 1.5 bar gas pressure, we can cool the batch significantly faster. This not only shortens the process times, but also improving the mechanical properties of the layers, as is the case with the Nitrotec NQ40 process. From the new year, the test chamber will be available at ECM in Grenoble, so anyone who feels like trying it out is welcome to do so.

Jiří Stanislav

November 26, 2025