A proven process to penetrate the passive TiO₂ layer and eliminate galling, achieving extreme wear resistance without hydrogen embrittlement.
Plasma Nitriding for Titanium
Zero risk of hydrogen embrittlement
Automatic removal of passive oxide layers
Uniform heating without edge effects
Complete elimination of surface galling
Titanium Processing Benefits
ION HEAT's hot-wall plasma furnaces are perfectly suited for processing titanium components, offering unique metallurgical advantages
The natural titanium oxide layer (TiO2) acts as an impenetrable barrier to conventional heat treatments. ION HEAT systems utilize a physical sputtering process (bombarding the surface with heavy ions) to atomically clean the component and break this passive shield, allowing immediate and uniform nitrogen diffusion.
Traditional gas nitriding relies on ammonia (NH3), which releases massive amounts of hydrogen into the titanium lattice, forming brittle titanium hydrides. Our vacuum-based plasma process can operate with pure Nitrogen or Nitrogen/Argon mixtures, completely eliminating hydrogen from the recipe and preserving the core's native toughness and fatigue resistance.
Titanium requires high treatment temperatures (700 °C - 900 °C) for industrial-depth diffusion. Conventional cold-wall plasma systems struggle to reach these temperatures without generating destructive electrical arcs or overheating sharp edges (edge effect). ION HEAT’s Hot-Wall technology uses independent external heating, ensuring perfect temperature uniformity while maintaining a gentle, highly controlled plasma.
At elevated temperatures, titanium acts as a ‘getter,’ absorbing oxygen rapidly. This leads to severe oxidation and the formation of brittle, undesirable surface phases (alpha-case). ION HEAT furnaces operate under strict vacuum conditions with precisely controlled atmospheres, preventing any oxygen contamination and guaranteeing a pure, golden-colored Titanium Nitride (TiN) layer.
Titanium is notorious for its poor tribological properties and its tendency to cold-weld or seize (galling) under friction. Plasma nitriding radically transforms the surface by creating a hard, ceramic-like compound layer (TiN / Ti2N) supported by a robust diffusion zone. This structure drastically lowers the friction coefficient and entirely eliminates adhesive wear.
Process Advantages
All titanium alloys... achieve a deep, uniform, and galling-resistant nitride layer, providing the ultimate surface hardening treatment ready for critical applications when treated with ION HEAT hot-wall plasma systems.
Precisely Engineered Titanium Compound Layers
Achieve absolute microstructural control at the atomic level. Our plasma technology adapts precisely to the specific chemistry of each titanium grade, generating an optimized, highly stable ceramic surface layer that ensures exceptional and repeatable anti-galling performance.
Extreme Load Capacity and Core Toughness
Eliminate the ‘eggshell effect’ of external coatings. A deep diffusion zone provides massive structural support for high contact pressures. Our hydrogen-free plasma process guarantees zero embrittlement, preserving 100% of component’s native impact and fatigue resistance.
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Plasma nitriding provides metallurgical advantages that external coatings simply cannot match. For commercial heat treaters and captive operations dealing with titanium, two core properties define its superior performance.
Unmatched Properties
Choose the Right Furnace
Titanium Nitriding Option only available for our GlowTech 0610 and GlowTech 0815 furnace models.
Titanium diffusion kinetics demand higher temperature than regular nitriding. To meet these rigorous metallurgical requirements, ION HEAT offers a specialized High Temperature Add-On. This option increases the processing temperature up to 850 °C, combining our Hot-Wall technology with soft plasma to achieve deep, uniform nitride layers without distortion or edge melting.
Download PDF
Free eBook now available
"Yes, Plasma Nitriding Works for Titanium" | This technical guide provides an in-depth classification of industrial titanium alloys and their response to thermochemical treatments. It details how controlled plasma environments enhance surface hardness while strictly preserving biocompatibility and corrosion performance.
From precision engineering requirements to high-temperature process parameters, this resource is essential for mastering the metallurgical challenges of titanium nitriding.
