The Tufftride process of Durferrit is a surface heat treatment Salt Bath Nitrocarburizing treatment carried out at around 580°C for relatively short times (30 minutes to 3 hours) which produces a hard wear resistant surface on many steels. In this type of surface heat treatment It is common to oxidise the surface compound layer formed, by using the oxidising AB1 salt bath. Corrosion resistance of the steel is enhanced by formation of this surface layer in a similar way to many other Nitrocarburizing treatments. Fatigue strength and indentation resistance is superior to untreated steel due to a diffusion layer beneath the compound layer. The depth of this diffusion layer depends on the time of the Tufftride® treatment and the type of steel being treated.

This treatment is used as an alternative to chrome or nickel plating.

Benefits of Tufftriding:

• Increased surface hardness
• Improved fatigue strength
• Increase in corrosion resistance
• Increased wear resistance
• Reduces scuffing

If choosing a Tufftriding treatment, consideration must be given to component geometry, particularly blind threaded holes.