Carbonitriding Process Optimization of High Alloy Stainless Steel for Enhanced Wear and Fatigue Performance

The capability to model the carbonitriding process for martensitic stainless steels, such as Pyrowear 675, would enable the optimization of the process as a function of material properties including the effects of carbon and nitrogen on phase transformations, surface hardness, lattice strains, residual stresses, and distortion. QuesTek proposes to utilize an Integrated Computational Materials Engineering methodology to identify key thermodynamic relationships between carbonitriding processing parameters and the resulting microstructures and materials properties. In addition, modeling frameworks will enable not only the optimization of the process to achieve improved properties, but also the ability to specify and qualify a carbonitriding process for Pyrowear 675 that meets the needs of the US Army.