Structure and properties of high-speed steels after ionic carbonitriding in a hydrogen-free medium

See adjacent abstract. Carbonitriding process during plasma glow discharge, using products of the ferrocyanide dissociation, was studied on high speed tool steels R6M5, R6M5F3, and ROM2F3. It was found that their wear resistance and impact strength increased compared to the nitriding in the gaseous ammonia atmosphere or carbonitriding in the liquid melts of the cyanide salts. Possibility of hydrogen embrittlement was eliminated and duration of the process reduced. This technology allows discontinuing usage of the extremely toxic substances such as melts of cyanide salts.