Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD) 42(1) (2019) 17-25

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research &

Developments (JMERD)
ISSN: 1024-1752 (Print) DOI : http://doi.org/10.26480/jmerd.01.2019.17.25
CODEN: JERDFO

REVIEW ARTICLE

CONTROL GAS NITRIDING PROCESS: A REVIEW

Nguyen Duong Nam1*, Nguyen Anh Xuan1, Nguyen Van Bach1, Le Thi Nhung1, Le Thi Chieu2

1Vietnam Maritime University, Haiphong city, Vietnam

2Ha Noi University of Science and Technology
*Corresponding Author Email: namnd.khcs@vimaru.edu.vn

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

ARTICLE DETAILS ABSTRACT

Article History:
Received 20 November 2018
Accepted 26 December 2018
Available online 22 January 2019
The detailed surface is the boundary between the machine part and the working environment or with other machine
parts in the structure of the machine. The surface is directly affected by the mechanical, physical and chemical effects
of the environment. It is also the first place to receive loads, often subject to friction, abrasion The surface of the
machine is where the hardest working conditions are, so it is also vulnerable to abrasion. There are many methods to
the durable surface; But the most common method is diffusion. In diffusion method, there are many methods, but the
chapter only focuses on the gas nitriding method and control of the gas nitriding process. Nitriding process can only
be best achieved by control of the gas nitriding process, in particular by controlling the amount of incoming air at each
stage. The specifications of the gas nitriding process will determine the quality of the nitriding layer. One of the very
difficult parameters to control this process is the concentration of NH 3 and N2 into the air. In order to control this air
which will use the air control equiments but to control the permeability components in the equipment need special
control processes with modern equipment. In this paper, we present a technique for control of the gas nitriding
process by sensor hydro.

KEYWORDS

gas nitriding process, sensor hydro, abrasion, friction

1. INTRODUCTION
The detail surface is the boundary between the machine part and the work
environment as well as with other machine parts. The surface of the
machine is often directly affected by the mechanization as well as the first
place to receive the load; frequently subjected to abrasion and abrasion;
This is also the most distorted and destructive [1-3].
changes the chemical composition of the surface, increasing the nitrogen
content of the surface, making the surface more detailed, with a higher
hardness, abrasion resistance, fatigue resistance than the inside detail. In
many cases these methods also have the effect of increasing the resistance
to erosion [16,17].
The purpose of the methods is:

In order to increase the life expectancy, the durability of the first - Increased hardness and wear resistance, fatigue strength of components.
workpiece must be carried out in the surface finishing process for details. This purpose of heat treatment is similar to the surface quenching method
The detail need to treated by surface heat treatment. These are the details but is more effective.
required for the mechanical heterogeneity between the surface and the - Enhanced anti-corrosion and chemical resistance (high temperature
substrate (often called the core) of the detail. These are the details antioxidant), acid resistance of the steel surface.
required for the hardness and abrasion resistance at the surface while the
Tools such as dies, diecast molds, extruded molds, high durability
requirements of the base are tough, resistant to bending, twisting, impact
requirements, high impact toughness, hardness requirements at high
... [4-10].
temperatures. Some gears, shafts ... bearing heavy loads are also
impregnated with nitriding gas process. These parts are made from
There are many the strength surface methods: Increasing the hardness
medium carbon steel, usually alloyed with various elements depending on
and abrasion resistance of the surface by the surface quenching (in the
work requirements, are high strength and hardness, hardness (core) is
core – non quenching), mechanical surface hardening (spraying ball) ... but
about 35-55HRC before nitriding gas process. Some of the parts are made
common Particularly strength surface methods by diffusion or thermal
of tool steel with high carbon content such as stamping dies, parts made
treatment. This method is done by placing the detail in a rich elements that
from wind and steel ... which are impregnated with nitrogen. Nitriding
needs to be diffused into the surface (carbon, nitrogen, elemental types
process is also used to impregnate stainless steel to increase the abrasive
such as chromium, titanium, etc.), at a certain temperature and time. The
ability of medical knives. However, in this case it may have to sacrifice
above elements diffuse into the detail surface over certain distances [3,11-
some anti-corrosion [17-23].
15].
In the nitriding gas process, it is important to control the parameters of
The nitriding gas process is a common method of heat treatment that

Cite The Article: Nguyen Duong Nam, Nguyen Anh Xuan, Nguyen Van Bach, Le Thi Nhung, Le Thi Chieu (2019). Control Gas Nitriding Process: A Review.
Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments, 42(1): 17-25.
 Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD) 42(1) (2019) 17-25

the infiltration process as it determines the quality of the permeability and produces the γ' phase - solid solution on the basis of phase alternating Fe-
the life of the detail. The parameters of the permeation process include 4N with austenite network. When the nitrogen content is greater, it will

two groups of parameters that need to be controlled [24-26]: produce a phase ε - phase alternating with Fe2-3N.

- Parameters of process temperature

- Parameters of air flow or gas decomposition. This parameter is especially
important and difficult to control. Infiltration flow will determine the
quality of the permeability.

Thus, in this chapter the authors focus on controlling the flow of air
permeable through nitrogen gas adsorption by hydrogen sensor. The main
contents of the lecture are: theory of nitrogen gas adsorption; Parameters
influencing nitrogen gas adsorption and methods of automatic control of
nitrogen gas adsorption process.

2. THEORY ABOUT GAS NITRIDING PROCESS

Nitrogen gas is a surface-hardening process in which nitrogen is

introduced into the steel surface by keeping the metal at an appropriate
temperature and exposure to permeable air, typically ammonia or
ammonia and nitrogen mixtures, ammonia mixtures with nitrogen or
hydrogen. Permeable temperature for all types of steel in the range of 495
÷ 565°C. When heated in the ammonia gas stream, within this temperature
range, the ammonia is decomposed rapidly by the reaction [27,28]:

2 NH → 3H + 2 N (1)
3 2

Figure 2: Phase diagram Fe-N [29]

Table 1: Content of Nitrogen in phases [29]

Phase Nature Content N Properties

δFe Solid solution of N in 0 to ~ 0,9

phase δFe

γFe Solid solution of N in 0 to 2,8

phase γFe
αFe Solid solution of N in 0 to 0,1 Hard
phase αFe

γ’Fe4N alternating phase Fe4N 5,7 to 5,9

Figure1: Simulation of nitriding gas process

Factor required by reaction:
ε alternating phase Fe2-3N ~ 4 to ~ Very hard
3/2 11
a N PH
K4 = 2 (2)
PNH Fe2N alternating phase ~11,1
3

FeN6 alternating phase ~ 61

Highly activated atomic nitrogen produces adsorption and diffusion into
the steel surface.
FeN9 alternating phase ~ 69
Nitrogen can dissolve into iron α with very small solubility resulting in an
Mactenxit solid solution too 0 to 0,6
intermittent solid α. The maximum dissolved concentration of 0.1% was
saturated of N in αFe
reached at 590°C. The solubility of nitrogen in Fe γ is greater, the largest is
2.8% at 6500C.
Fe16N2 ~ 3,0
Nitrogen combined with iron makes up different substances depending on
the content. In the wage range of 5.7 to 6,1%, nitrogen together with iron

Cite The Article: Nguyen Duong Nam, Nguyen Anh Xuan, Nguyen Van Bach, Le Thi Nhung, Le Thi Chieu (2019). Control Gas Nitriding Process: A Review.
Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments, 42(1): 17-25.
 Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD) 42(1) (2019) 17-25

more likely it is to make ε phase

-The ε hardness is very high, higher than the γ' phase, which is less
susceptible to cracking.
-Up temperature 480oC, the phase area γ is narrowed.
-Phase formation depends on steel composition, temperature, NH3
decomposition, and nitriding gas time
-When nitrogen is applied to the steel, it generates phases, as shown in the
Fe-N phase diagram. The permeable structure of nitrogen-permeable
steel, including the diffusion and composite regions, is shown in Fig 5. The
mixture area may or may not depend on the type and content of the alloy
elements as well as the temperature-time absorbed in a specific nitrogen
uptake.
-Nitrogen fertilizers grow by diffusion, increasing with temperature and
time
-The surface hardness of the permeable layer is obtained by the nitrite
Figure 3: Microstructure of phase phase. CrN is Fe3N, Fe4N.

The higher the carbon content and the higher the alloying component, the

Figure 4: Hardness test on microstructure (X500)

Figure 5: Microstructure of 410 steel quenched at 845oC, tempered in 2 hours at 620oC, after: nitriding gas process in 24 hours at 525oC, decomposed
from 20 to 30% [29].
NH3 decomposition is the volume of NH3 decomposed by equation (1). At
3. MAIN PARAMETERS IN NITRIDING GAS PROCESS a fixed temperature and pressure, the NH3 doesn’t constant. When low β
means that NH3 is introduced more and more nitrogen is produced, the
3.1 Decomposition amount of active nitrogen is greater. When β is high, the NH3 content is
less and the active nitrogen is less. Nitriding is carried out at low
Atomic nitrogen is produced in the decomposition furnace by ammonia temperatures so that the nitrogen diffusion coefficient is small, so the
decomposition. During infiltration, the decomposition may vary penetration time is usually long and the thickness of the thin layer is low.
depending on the flow of NH3. The permeability class depends on the degradation of NH 3 in the
The decomposition of the permeate is determined as follows: permeation medium. If the flow of NH3 is constant, the decay increases
with time. When decomposition is too great, there may not be enough
NH 3decomposition nitrogen atoms for the permeation process. Although seepage occurs with
 = (3) varying degrees of decomposition, it only starts when the decomposition
NH 3begin rate reaches 15-30%. The process lasts about 4-10 hours depending on the
permeation cycle. With a 15-30% decomposition will produce white

Cite The Article: Nguyen Duong Nam, Nguyen Anh Xuan, Nguyen Van Bach, Le Thi Nhung, Le Thi Chieu (2019). Control Gas Nitriding Process: A Review.
Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments, 42(1): 17-25.
 Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD) 42(1) (2019) 17-25

nitriding layer on the steel surface. This microstructure is highly hardness
and crispy. When the amount of NH3 decomposes is large, ie the number
of Natom generated much, the amount of Natom created on the surface of the
large permeability, the phase ε - phase alternating between Fe2-3N large,
making the white layer high hardness and brittle, easy cracking. On the
other hand, Fe2-3N phase prevents the osmosis of the next nitrogen atoms
as thin layer. Permeability at higher temperatures, ammonia
decomposition strongly, atomic nitrogen form many as thinly permeable
layers and reduce the quality of the permeability. The nitrogen is worked
at the temperature from 495 to 530oC [29].
4. NITRIDING GAS PROCESS: ONE STAGE AND TWO STAGE
Nitrification with ammonia can be carried out in one or two stages. One-
stage nitrogen fertilization is a nitrogen uptake in which the amount of
NH3 is supplied constant throughout the infiltration process. Two-stage
nitrogen permeation is the impregnation process consisting of two stages
Độ C
Phân huỷ β =35%
of gas supply. Phase one NH3 is provided with high flow, low
decomposition, second stage the amount of NH3 is reduced for greater
decomposition. Two-stage penetration increases the diffusion and hence
shortens the penetration time,
The two-stage impregnation process has the advantage of reducing the
thickness of the white nitriding layer because, in the later stage, the
nitrogen content decreases, the atomic nitrogen condenses deep into the
core, reducing nitrogen in the substrate. In the one-stage impregnation
process, the permeation temperature is in the range of 495 ÷ 525°C and
the decomposition is in the range of 15 ÷ 30%. This process produces a
white layer rich in nitrogen on the surface is white, mainly nitrite high
hardness and crunchiness. Then to the two-phase mixture and into the
deep layer of solid solution.

540

100

40 30 20 180 150 Không khí

7 m3/h 10 l/h phút

N2

10 l/h 5 m3/h
NH3

4 l/h
CO2

a) One stage b) Two stage

Figure 6: Nitriding process

In the two-stage process, the first process is similar to the one-stage but the nitrogen is diffused into the interior, the amount of nitrogen on the
shorter process, which is carried out as follows: Stage one gas supply with surface decreases, not enough to form the phase ε - alternating phase Fe2-
decomposition of 15 ÷ 30% in the 495 ÷ 525°C. In the second process, the 3N reduces the hardness, crispy, cracked. The permeable layer consists of

temperature is increased to about 550-565°C, the amount of gas is reduced a better solids-permeable mechanical layer. Parallel to that, nitrogen
to decompose up to 65-80%. In the second process, the decay increases, diffuses deep into the thickening layer.
the amount of Nnt produced decreases, the temperature is increased, so

Figure 7: Influence of one-stage and two-stage impregnation of ASM 6470.

Prior to infiltration, the steel was at 900°C, cooled in oil, tempering at
605°C for 2 hours, a) Nitrogen gas nitrification at 525°C for 30 hours, the
organization includes: the background is ramenite oxide, Fe 2N coating
0.01-0.013mm, b) Conditions such as (a) but infiltration for 36 hours,
riveted nitric layer 0.023-0.025mm.
c) The above conditions are two-stage, stage 1; infiltrated for 5 hours at
525°C, phase 2 permeated for 20 hours at 565°C. The coating decreases
due to the diffusion of nitrogen in the second stage to form a solid solution
d) Condition as c) but the surface is burnt [29].

Cite The Article: Nguyen Duong Nam, Nguyen Anh Xuan, Nguyen Van Bach, Le Thi Nhung, Le Thi Chieu (2019). Control Gas Nitriding Process: A Review.
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 Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD) 42(1) (2019) 17-25

5. CONTROL GAS NITRIDING PROCESS BY HYDROGEN SENSOR
The gas nitriding control system consists of two basic systems: hardware
and software (see Figure 4). Hardware is designed with unique
parameters with the standard system of infiltration as the temperature
and composition of the infiltration during gas nitriding processes. This
system includes sensors; these sensors will record the parameters of the
gas nitriding process and thus determine the formation of atomic Nitrogen
(decomposition of the permeability); These results will determine the
formation of permeable layers on steel. For the programming module, this
section uses the most up-to-date system equipment in the world; These
devices allow to calculate the parameters of this process; These results
provide the technologist with parameters to control the process or the
formation of nitrites. Therefore, the technology can provide the
appropriate solutions [30-36].

Figure 8: System’s general concept [37]

5.1 Designing Block of Process Parameters coefficient of N atom in individual layers or the calculation of N content in
phases. In addition, with this equation, it doesn’t effect of the remaining
5.1.1 Guidelines stages which is created which results in the next phase of the development.
Therefore, it is necessary to construct a more general equation that
When calculating and designing the gas nitriding process, according to controls the coefficients of each development process ki and other
Kansei's method, there are some things to pay attention to as follows: coefficients of the diffusion process. The construction of a general
- Principle of Exception: While calculating the gas nitriding process, it is equation for the parameters of this process helps to determine the
necessary to use different values of input matrix parameters. diffusion coefficients of the single-phase as well as to determine the
- Principle of target concentration: Determine the specific target of the development of the phase over time. Equation 5 below describes a direct
infiltration process (hardness, distribution of permeability, composition of connection of the dynamic parameters of a phase (ki) with the difference
permeability layer ...); These values control the smallest parameters of the in phase boundary and the diffusion coefficient of the phase [30,38].
process such as temperature changes, the composition of the permeate in
the process, and the control of the decomposition of NH 3. c
- Preliminary Information limit rule: Use limited information to control 2j =1 ai, j ki k j = ( Di )ef ci i = 1,2,3 (5)
the infiltration process.
- The rules for using a knowledge database means that databases
where:
related to the parameters of the gas nitriding process will be collected and
processed to create a common database for later this process. ci , i  j 
The using of the Kansei method to assist in the design of the gas nitriding  
process has been demonstrated by increasing the number of mandatory 1 
ai , j =  (3ci + ci , j +1 ), i = j
attributes associated with permeable layers as well as other elements.
4 
5.2 Modeling of the process c j , i  j 
5.2.1 Analysis process
ki –kinetic parameters of the growth of ith and jth phase,
Δci –difference of concentrations of the diffusing element on the border of
Experimental data analysis involves phase formation in the nitride layer
ith phase.
(Figure 1) as well as the development of regions and phases in the
diffusion process. This process is described in the following equation:
Equation 5 is a nonlinear equation that can be solved by the approximation
 x = ki * t (4) (iteration):
i c
2( Di )ef ci
,
ki = ; i = 1, 2, 3,1 −  , 2 −  , 3 −  (6)
where: n
 j =1 aij k j
Δxi – thickness of ith phase in n-phase layer after process time t (for the
nitrided layer, the maximum value n=3), In the method of successive approximations, e.g., for zone ε, the following
ki – kinetic parameter of the growth of ith phase, the so-called constant of dependencies are obtained:
the parabolic growth of ith phase,
t – process time. c c
2( Di )ef c 2( Di ) ef c
(1) (2)
k = = (7)
(0) 
,k
Equation 4 describes the development of the region and the formation of (1)
3j =1 aij k j 3j =1 aij k j
phases in this process. In the equation above the k i constant is used to
describe the kinetic energy of the phase transformation in the
temperature. For practical reasons, this value is a full reflection of the From the above equations, the larger the development of parameters, the
parameters of the case. According to Equation 4, the change in thickness greater the difference in concentration at the boundaries Δci, in the phase
Δxi over a given period of time. However, the dynamic description of the equilibrium diagram, as well as the greater the effective diffusion
development of nitrite layers as well as the calculation of the diffusion coefficient is in a given phase– (Dci)ef. This model can also be applied for

Cite The Article: Nguyen Duong Nam, Nguyen Anh Xuan, Nguyen Van Bach, Le Thi Nhung, Le Thi Chieu (2019). Control Gas Nitriding Process: A Review.
Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments, 42(1): 17-25.
 Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD) 42(1) (2019) 17-25

the calculations of the thickness growth of the whole zone of (carbo) expected results. In such cases, it is necessary to understand the class
nitrides on steels, in particular on those stages of the process when phase structure as opposed to the expected class structure after the completion
dominates [12]. of the process.

5.3 Visualization and Control of the Process
Methods used to control the gas nitriding process which are being used
now for control purposes to determine precisely the composition of the
nitrogen environment. Sensors are used for the purpose of determining
the parameters that represent this process; permeability formation, ie, the
ability to apply algorithm in nitriding process as well as changing the
parameters of time and temperature. This is determined based on a
hydrogen temperature sensor or an ammonia component sensor and
work principle based on the absorption spectrum. However, choosing an
algorithm that is consistent with changes in the nitrogen composition as
well as the use of better and better sensors does not always produce the
Hence, in the light of the growing demands for nitrided elements,
concerning above all an increase of their life, or growing demands
concerning a precise repeatability of the process results, it is
indispensable to construct a system which works on the basis of the
indications of the process result sensor. This sensor makes it possible
either to directly monitor the process course and a correction of the
changes of the process parameters in the case of its improper course, or to
control the process on the basis of the indications of the layer growth
sensor. Therefore, it becomes justifiable to add a block which represents
directly in the process a growth of the nitride layer (Figure 9) to the
process control and the adjustment system.

Figure 9: Schematic diagram of the automatic system of the nitriding process with thevisualization system for the course of the layer growth [37].

5.4 Selection of the Measuring Method

When a nitride layer is formed, both the electrical properties of the nitride
layers: resistivity (ρ) and magnetic properties will change. With respect to
magnetic characteristics, the magnetic field and intensity of the magnetic
field are most sensitive to the phase change and structure. One of the
important parameters determining the change in resistivity value is the
average free conduction of electronegative electrodes. During diffusion, it
decreases about development of the diffusion concentration: Nitrogen
atoms intercalate into the structure and form nitride alloys. In terms of
magnetic properties, the diffusion region is ferromagnetic, whereas the
surface area of the iron nitrites (compound regions) is far-reaching. The
ferromagnetic diffusion region, the magnetic field and the intensity of the
magnetic field are the functions of all micro and macro states of the
permeability layer. This assumes that the macro stresses are the result of
the variation in nitrogen concentration, the nitride alloys that are
responsible for the formation and growth of micro stresses. When the
nitriding process is carried out, the area covered by the change of
Figure 10: Schematic diagram of two-winding sensor.
electromagnetic properties forms a fraction of the nitrite. This is the main
factor for controlling the change by induction. Material samples were Finally, the voltage induced in the measuring winding of the coil is the
tested by placing them in an alternating electromagnetic field. This function of the following parameters [29,39]:
process creates a vortex that controls the process of intrusion of elements
into the material [39-42]. The sensors are placed in the permeable
environment. These sensors are equipped with a dual coil. This generates ) (8)
high-frequency currents that produce electromagnetic fields. As a result,
the electromagnetic field formed in the coil generates a voltage signal in where: – voltage induced in the measuring winding when the coil is
the secondary coil. As a consequence, the resultant field is formed in the empty,
coil area, which induces a voltage signal in the secondary winding of the η – coil filling factor,
coil. As a result of the testing examinations, the variant was selected with μr – relative magnetic permeability,
two push-pull connected sections of the secondary coil, while the sample
tested is located in one of the sections (Figure 10). Owing to this, a change – effective permeability: This value makes the magnitude of the
of the voltage signal induced depends solely of the changing magnetic field independent of the sample surface. The value of the current
electromagnetic properties of the sample [12]. induced in the coil depends directly on the relative permeability (μr) and

Cite The Article: Nguyen Duong Nam, Nguyen Anh Xuan, Nguyen Van Bach, Le Thi Nhung, Le Thi Chieu (2019). Control Gas Nitriding Process: A Review.
Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments, 42(1): 17-25.
 Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD)42(1) (2019) 17-25

indirectly on the resistivity, which is a parameter of the permeability ( where: σ(x,t) – macrostresses which are parallel to the surface, in x distance
from the surface, β - Vegard constant, E - Young’s modulus, ν - Poisson
). Furthermore, by reducing the thickness of the sample, it is possible to
constant, [N (t)] - average nitrogen concentration in sample in t time of
reduce the degree of variation in the induced voltage values due to the
process, [N(x,t)] - surface nitrogen concentration in x distance from
resistivity. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the development of the
surface in t time of process. Due to the fact that the expansion of the lattice
nitride layer by using magnetic sensors by monitoring the change in
caused by the diffusion of nitrogen is positive (β> 0), it follows the
voltage generated in the coil [16]. In the early stages of nitrided layer
equation near the surface, with the compression stress {[N (t)] <[N (x , t)],
formation, nitrogen diffusion induces the expansion of the surface layer of
while tensile stress exists in areas farther from the surface where {[N (t)]>
the material. This expansion is being resisted by the rest of the material
[N (x, t)]}. The above formulas show that when there is a change in the
with smaller concentrations of nitrogen. The macro stress characteristic
structure and concentration of nitrogen atoms over time, the formation of
developed as a result of the process for those specimens, from the
the macro stress can be simulated and calculated. Thus, the value of the
diffusion point, to the finite thickness, these stresses can be described by
voltage change in the sensor can be compared to the change in the
following equation [4]:
magnetic stress by a function over time. At the same time, it is possible to
determine the nitrogen concentration by solving the diffusion problems

 ( x,t ) =
 .E
1 −
N (t ) − N ( x, t ) (9)
under Fick's law and form permeable layers. This means that the atomic
nitrogen concentration on the surface reaches the equilibrium value with
the nitrogen concentration inside the permeation medium.

Figure 11: (a) Variation in sensor signal (magnetising current frequency f = 150 kHz) as a function of nitriding time for an iron specimen of thickness g = 1
mm. (b) Calculated changes of surface compressive macrostress in an iron specimen of thickness g = 1 mm; process parameters: T = 560oC (833 K), KN =
0.08 [37].

Figure 11a shows an example of changes in the voltage induced in a
magnetic sensor during nitrogen adsorption to a 1 mm thick steel sample.
Samples were placed in infiltration medium with KN = 0.08 permeability
at 560oC. The registered properties U = f (t) correspond to the qualitative
significance for the change of surface macro stresses (Figure 11b) as
calculated for the above parameters of the process. These macro stresses
represent the two characteristic phases of diffusion. Previously connected
with an increase in surface nitrogen concentration accompanied by an
increase in compression pressure and a decrease in the voltage signal, in
the case of the later stage there is relaxation of the stress, increasing the
voltage [43,44].
6. DESIGN AND CONTRUCTION OF MAGNETIC SENSOR
The basic part of the measuring system, i.e., the magnetic sensor, is placed
in a furnace retort, cf. Figure 12. This is a run-through sensor: the gas
nitriding atmosphere flows through it and causes the formation of a
nitride layer on the specimen placed inside the sensor.

Figure 12: Magnetic sensor placed in furnace retort

Cite The Article: Nguyen Duong Nam, Nguyen Anh Xuan, Nguyen Van Bach, Le Thi Nhung, Le Thi Chieu (2019). Control Gas Nitriding Process: A Review.
Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments, 42(1): 17-25.
 Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD) 42(1) (2019) 17-25
Structure and principle of operation of the hydrogen sensor is shown in
Figure 13 and Figure 14.
Figure 13: Hydrogen sensor Figure 14: Diagram of hydrogen
sensor
The hydrogen sensor consists of a Wheatstone bridge of four temperature
dependent resistors. Two parallel resistors placed in the gas need to be
analyzed, the other two resistors in a stable gas environment that know
exactly the thermal conductivity. During the measurement, all four
resistors were heated to above 500oC. The thermal conductivity of gases
in the environment depends primarily on the hydrogen content.
Therefore, the resistance in the test chamber will change linearly with
temperature. The more hydrogen-rich the environment, the smaller the
metal resistance, so the more electrical current it needs to get to zero. This
current is proportional to the measured hydrogen concentration. The
device measures from 0% H2 with 4mA to 75% H2 with 20mA. Based on
the change of the current signal, the H2 concentration of the medium is
determined. The hydrogen sensor is used to measure the gas outside the
furnace with the following specifications:
+ H2 concentration measurement: 0 - 75%.
+ Supply voltage: 24 V, using DC source.
+ Output current: 4- 20 mA.
+ Retention time: Output delay 6 ... 20s
This sensor operates in all temperature ranges with high reliability. The
electronic evaluation and current system integrated in the sensor. Bring a
compact design and simple connectivity. The interference effects of other
gases such as O2, N2, CO, H2O and CO2 are automatically compensated.
Thus, only one type of sensor for all gas mixtures may be required. The
hydrogen sensor can be measured in nitrogen.
7. CONCLUSION
This paper introduces the nitriding technology as well as some knowledge
of sensor permeability, particularly the hydrogen sensor. The authors
studied about nitriding technology and methods for controlling the
permeability process as well as the use of hydrogen sensors in controlling
the nitriding process.
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