Specialty stainless steel processes (S3P) featuring Kolsterising® technology offer unique surface hardening solutions for austenitic stainless steel, nickel-based alloys and cobalt-chromium alloys producing increased mechanical and wear properties without adversely affecting corrosion resistance.
Austenitic stainless steel parts improve their mechanical properties by applying the S3P processes, resulting in hardened austenitic stainless steel surfaces. In all S3P processes, the corrosion of the base material is not altered, while exhibiting superior wear resistance, strength and ductility, as well as resistance to galling. As surface diffusion processes, the surfaces do not crack or chip, offering significant advantages over coating technologies. S3P A® and Kolsterising® are the state of the art processes for austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless and nickel-based materials. S3P M is used for the treatment of martensitic and precipitation hardened stainless steel materials.
Benefits include
Galling is a type of mechanical wear caused by a combination of friction and adhesion between sliding surfaces typically under a compressive load. It is the result of tearing and slipping of the crystal structure at the surface once the protective chromium oxide layer has worn away. Further mechanical forces cause the material to become stuck or welded to the mating surface, and ultimately results in the seizing of interfacing components. In the case of fasteners, this is problematic since a galled fastener assembly has to be drilled or cut to be removed.
Galling resistance in stainless steel metal–on–metal applications can be achieved through Bodycote’s Specialty Stainless Steel Processes (S³P) while preserving the corrosion resistance properties of the base material.
Photographs of AISI 316 buttons after G98 galling test.
Left: S³P treated condition at 122.2 KSI (842.5 MPa);
Right: untreated condition at 14.3 KSI (98.6 MPa)
Learn more about the galling resistance of S3P treated stainless steel
S3P processes are used for products across a wide range of markets from precision medical tools to automotive components.
All stainless steel as well as nickel-based and cobalt-chromium alloys can be treated by various S3P processes. Some typical examples are:
S3P treatments involve low temperature diffusion of large quantities of carbon and/or nitrogen into the surface without the formation of chromium precipitations. No additional chemical elements that were not already present prior to the treatment are introduced during the process. There is no risk of delamination because S3P processes neither add a coating nor introduce brittle phases in the material.
Specialty stainless steel processes (S3P) featuring Kolsterising® technology offer unique surface hardening solutions for austenitic stainless steel, nickel-based alloys and cobalt-chromium alloys producing increased mechanical and wear properties without adversely affecting corrosion resistance.
Austenitic stainless steel parts improve their mechanical properties by applying the S3P processes, resulting in hardened austenitic stainless steel surfaces. In all S3P processes, the corrosion of the base material is not altered, while exhibiting superior wear resistance, strength and ductility, as well as resistance to galling. As surface diffusion processes, the surfaces do not crack or chip, offering significant advantages over coating technologies. S3P A® and Kolsterising® are the state of the art processes for austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless and nickel-based materials. S3P M is used for the treatment of martensitic and precipitation hardened stainless steel materials.
Benefits include
Galling is a type of mechanical wear caused by a combination of friction and adhesion between sliding surfaces typically under a compressive load. It is the result of tearing and slipping of the crystal structure at the surface once the protective chromium oxide layer has worn away. Further mechanical forces cause the material to become stuck or welded to the mating surface, and ultimately results in the seizing of interfacing components. In the case of fasteners, this is problematic since a galled fastener assembly has to be drilled or cut to be removed.
Galling resistance in stainless steel metal–on–metal applications can be achieved through Bodycote’s Specialty Stainless Steel Processes (S³P) while preserving the corrosion resistance properties of the base material.
Photographs of AISI 316 buttons after G98 galling test.
Left: S³P treated condition at 122.2 KSI (842.5 MPa);
Right: untreated condition at 14.3 KSI (98.6 MPa)
Learn more about the galling resistance of S3P treated stainless steel
S3P processes are used for products across a wide range of markets from precision medical tools to automotive components.
All stainless steel as well as nickel-based and cobalt-chromium alloys can be treated by various S3P processes. Some typical examples are:
S3P treatments involve low temperature diffusion of large quantities of carbon and/or nitrogen into the surface without the formation of chromium precipitations. No additional chemical elements that were not already present prior to the treatment are introduced during the process. There is no risk of delamination because S3P processes neither add a coating nor introduce brittle phases in the material.
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