1.0503 | C45E salt-bath nitrocarburised
| Numeric designation | 1.0503 |
|---|---|
| Chemical designation | C45E |
| State | salt-bath nitrocarburised |
| Etching | 3% Nital |
The component was nitrocarburised in molten salt at approx. 580°C (Tenifer process) and subsequently oxidised.
As the steel is unalloyed, no submicroscopic chromium or aluminium nitrides can form which would increase the hardness and strength beneath the diffusion layer. Instead, large iron nitride needles are visible within the ferrite grains. Before embedding, the section was wrapped tightly in aluminium foil to ensure good contrast between the grey oxide layer and the grey embedding medium.
