Controlled diffusion saturation during ion chemical heat treatment [[Previously Titled: 85th Anniversary of the "Metal Science and Heat Treatment" chair of the N.E. Bauman Moscow State Technical University.]]

A consideration is given to automatic control system for ion chemical heat treatment of metals. The system is developed on the basis of the "Orion-4" complex. High stability of nitriding and carbonizing processes is assured by controlling the temperature of metal charge, controlled atmosphere pressure, glow discharge power. The system was tested on ion carbonitriding steels types 19KhGN and 20Kh3MVFA. The best microhardness and its distribution in diffusion layer thickness were obtained under conditions of double and cyclic diffusion saturation.