Abstract: Nitrogen (N) absorption and diffusion treatments are performed for the inner and/or outer surfaces of austenite stainless steel pipe materials in N gas atmosphere at temperatures near 1,100° C. to obtain nitrided stainless steel pipe materials having 0.25˜1.7% (mass) of solid solution nitrogen (N) including a gradient structure formed within the pipe wall in which the concentration of solid solution N continuously decreases gradually from the surface. The solid solution N present in the gradient structure promotes short range ordering (SRO) of substitutional alloying elements leading to homogenization of distribution of alloying elements in the austenite phase, generating an extremely high proof strength (yield strength) about 3 times as high as that of conventional austenite stainless steel pipe materials and enhancing characteristic of anti-hydrogen gas embrittlement (anti-HGE) so as to be suitable for use in a high pressure hydrogen tank utilized in hydrogen cell vehicle (FCV) and a liquid hydrogen tank.

Abstract: A process for preparing a disintegrable powder compact, the process comprises: combining: a primary particle comprising a ferrous alloy which comprises carbon; and a secondary particle to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a preform; and sintering the preform to form the disintegrable powder compact by forming a matrix from one of the primary particle or the secondary particle; and forming a plurality of dispersed particles from the other of the primary particle or the secondary particle, wherein the dispersed particles are dispersed in the matrix, the disintegrable powder compact is configured to disintegrate in response to contact with a disintegration fluid, and the primary particle and secondary particle have different standard electrode potentials.

Abstract: A getter is provided. The getter consists essentially of from about 0% to 50% of titanium, from about 0% to 50% zirconium, and from about 5% to 50% of tantalum. A MEMS device is provided. The MEMS device includes a substrate and a getter over the substrate. The getter consists essentially of from about 0% to 50% of titanium, from about 0% to 50% zirconium, and from about 5% to 50% of tantalum. A method of forming a MEMS device is provided. The method includes the following operations: providing a substrate; and providing a getter over the substrate, wherein the getter consists essentially of from about 0% to 50% of titanium, from about 0% to 50% zirconium, and from about 5% to 50% of tantalum, and wherein all of the percentages are atomic percentages.

Abstract: A disintegrable powder compact includes a matrix; a plurality of dispersed particles including a particle core material dispersed in the matrix; a ferrous alloy including carbon disposed in one of the matrix or particle core material; and a secondary element disposed in the other of the matrix or particle core material, the matrix and the plurality of dispersed particles having different standard electrode potentials. A process for preparing a disintegrable powder compact includes combining a primary particle including a ferrous alloy that includes carbon and a secondary particle to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a preform; and sintering the preform by forming a matrix, wherein the dispersed particles are dispersed in the matrix, the disintegrable powder compact is configured to disintegrate in response to contact with a disintegration fluid, and the primary particle and secondary particle have different standard electrode potentials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for customization of flow characteristics of a support using permanent and controlled evacuation of interstitial gas during the manufacturing process. The flow characteristics can be customized to provide a stiffer or less stiff support by a comparative degree. The flow characteristics can be permanently changed. The support includes a bladder filled with a fluidized particulate material. The medium of the fluidized particulate material includes interstitial spaces. A predetermined amount of gas can be removed to provide a support having a desired specific support characteristic.

Abstract: This case hardening steel has a chemical composition including, by mass %: C: 0.1 to 0.6%; Si: 0.02 to 1.5%; Mn: 0.3 to 1.8%; P: 0.025% or less; S: 0.001 to 0.15%; Al: over 0.05 to 1.0%; Ti: 0.05 to 0.2%; N: 0.01% or less; and O: 0.0025% or less, and further including, by mass %, one or more of Cr: 0.4 to 2.0%, Mo: 0.02 to 1.5%, Ni: 0.1 to 3.5%, V: 0.02 to 0.5%, and B: 0.0002 to 0.005%, and the balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: A component of an implantable medical device comprises a body comprising at least one external surface, the body comprising at least one of titanium, titanium-based alloys, and composites thereof, and a corrosion-resistant surface region at the at least one external surface, the corrosion-resistant surface region comprising at least one of titanium nitride, dititanium nitride, and a solid solution of nitrogen dissolved in the body, wherein the corrosion-resistant surface region is formed by thermal nitridation of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for adjusting the pore size of a porous metal material and the pore structure of a porous metal material. The method comprises: permeating at least one element into the surface of the pores of the material to generate a permeated layer on the surface of the pores, so that the average pore size of the porous material is reduced to within a certain range, thus obtaining a pore structure of the porous metal material having the pores distributed on the surface of the material and the permeated layer provided on the surface of the pores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a titanium alloy having superelastic properties and/or shape memory for biomedical use, which comprises the steps of: preparing an ingot by melting the various metals that form the desired alloy in a vacuum; optionally homogenizing the ingot in a vacuum by high-temperature annealing (higher than 900° C.); first quenching; mechanical shaping (rolling, drawing, machining or the like); heat treatment for redissolution in beta phase beyond the beta transus temperature (until a second temperature and then maintaining same for a certain time); and second quenching; characterized in that said heat treatment phase is carried out in a gaseous atmosphere and also constitutes a surface treatment suitable for forming on the surface a layer of nitride, carbonitride, oxide, oxynitride or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides spring use heat treated steel which is cold coiled, can achieve both sufficient atmospheric strength and coilability, has a tensile strength of 2000 MPa or more, and can improve the performance as a spring by heat treatment after spring fabrication, that is, high strength spring-use heat treated steel characterized by containing, by mass %, C: 0.45 to 0.9%, Si: 1.7 to 3.0%, and Mn: 0.1 to 2.0%, restricting N: to 0.007% or less, having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and satisfying, in terms of the analyzed value of the extracted residue after heat treatment, [amount of Fe in residue on 0.2 ?m filter/[steel electrolysis amount]×100?1.1.

Abstract: Before the end of the treatment of metal parts in a molten salt bath nitriding/nitrocarburizing station, a chamber, arranged so that the oxygen contained in the chamber can be discharged in order to create an inert atmosphere, is filled with a refrigerant in liquid form and with a strong capacity for volume expansion as it evaporates. All the parts treated are transferred into the chamber. The chamber is closed, and the parts are left in the chamber for a preset length of time to reach a temperature at which the salt congeals and forms a protective barrier. The parts are then removed and subjected to a rinsing operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for method for formation of expanded austenite and/or expanded martensite by solution hardening of a cold deformed workpiece of a passive alloy, which method comprises a first step of dissolving at least nitrogen in the workpiece at a temperature T1, which is higher than the solubility temperature for carbide and/or nitride and lower than the melting point of the passive alloy, and a subsequent second step of dissolving nitrogen and/or carbon in the work piece at a temperature T2, which is lower than the temperature at which carbides and/or nitrides form in the passive alloy. The invention further relates to a member, such as a lock washer for securing bolts or nuts prepared using the method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method capable of inexpensively forming a gradient-hardened rigid layer which has characteristics of functionally graded material on the surface layer of titanium. The method includes (a) injecting titanium into a heat treatment apparatus and performing ventilation to maintain an atmospheric pressure of 10?4 torr or less, (b) performing a pretreatment process of heating the titanium at 730 to 800° C. for 10 minutes to 5 hours to remove an oxide film formed on the surface of the titanium, (c) injecting one or more gases selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon into the heat treatment apparatus and heating the titanium at 740 to 950° C. for 30 minutes to 20 hours such that a gradient-hardened rigid layer having a concentration gradient of the gases is formed on the surface of the titanium, and (d) cooling the titanium.

Abstract: In a process for carbonitriding metallic components (1), provision is made of at least one carburization phase (C1, C2), in which the metallic component (1) is carburized with a carbon-donating gas. In addition, provision is made of a nitriding phase (C1, C2, C3), which is assigned to the carburization phase (D1, D2) and precedes the carburization phase (D1, D2). Here, in the nitriding phase, the metallic component (1) is nitrided by means of a nitrogen-donating gas at least superficially at at least one surface region (4) of the metallic component (1). It is thereby possible to avoid an excessive concentration of carbon, and therefore component failure is prevented and it is possible to dispense with costly remachining steps, e.g. grinding.

Abstract: A housing includes a substrate made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, an ion implantation layer formed on the substrate, and a vacuum coated layer formed on the ion implantation layer. The ion implantation layer is implanted with one or more ion species selected from the group consisting of nitrogen ion, oxygen ion, and boron ion and is substantially comprised of one or more selected from the group consisting of aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, and aluminum boride. The implanted ions can improve the compactness of the ion implantation layer. Thus, the corrosion resistance of the housing can be improved.

Abstract: A nitrided metal includes a metal core with a first microstructure and a nitrogen-containing solid solution region on the metal core. The nitrogen-containing solid solution region is free of nitride compounds and includes a second microstructure which is equivalent to the first microstructure. The first microstructure and the second microstructure are a tetragonal crystal structure.

Abstract: A component of an implantable medical device comprises a body comprising at least one external surface, the body comprising at least one of titanium, titanium-based alloys, and composites thereof, and a corrosion-resistant surface region at the at least one external surface, the corrosion-resistant surface region comprising at least one of titanium nitride, dititanium nitride, and a solid solution of nitrogen dissolved in the body, wherein the corrosion-resistant surface region is formed by thermal nitridation of the body.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating a metal surface, which can improve surface properties of a target metal, such as surface hardness and wear resistance in a simple manner and at low cost using very simple equipment alone, and which can prevent the deterioration of the metal to create high added value. The present invention is comprised of a method of treating a metal surface, characterized in that: heat-treating a target metal (10) to be surface-modified in nitrogen gas atmosphere (S), in such a state where the target metal (10) is buried in a carbon source powder (12) comprising a carbon powder and a powder of iron or an iron alloy mainly comprising iron and containing carbon, whereby the surface of the target metal (10) is at least nitrided or nitrogen-absorbed to modify the surface.

Abstract: To provide a decorative component, a timepiece, and a manufacturing method of the timepiece capable of improving workability for color development and of enhancing decorativeness. A surface of an oscillating weight 160 develops a color by forming anode oxide films 22a and 22b on the surface of the oscillating weight body 164 which is formed using titanium or a titanium alloy, and on the surface of the oscillating weight body 164, of the portions at which the anode oxide films 22a and 22b are formed, a nitridization treatment layer 21 is formed at the portion at which the anode oxide film 22a is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device or implant made at least in part of a high-strength, low-modulus metal alloy comprising niobium, tantalum, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of zirconium, tungsten, and molybdenum. The medical devices according to the present invention provide superior characteristics with regard to biocompatibility, radio-opacity and MRI compatibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device or implant made at least in part of a high-strength, low-modulus metal alloy comprising niobium, tantalum, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of zirconium, tungsten, and molybdenum. The medical devices according to the present invention provide superior characteristics with regard to biocompatibility, radio-opacity and MRI compatibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to valve metal particles uniformly containing nitrogen and a method for preparing the same, and a valve metal green pellet and a sintered pellet made from the particles, and an electrolytic capacitor anode. The present invention provides valve metal particles uniformly containing nitrogen, wherein the difference ratio of nitrogen contents of particles is 20% or less. The present invention provides a process for preparing said valve metal particles uniformly containing nitrogen, wherein the raw material particles of the valve metal were heated in a nitrogen-containing gas at a temperature of 200° C. or less for 2 hours or more. The present invention also provides a valve metal green pellet made from said valve metal particles. The present invention also provides a valve metal sintered pellet.

Abstract: In a method for carbonitriding at least one metal part, the metal part is heated in a heating phase to a treatment temperature, is nitrided in at least one nitriding phase using a nitrogen donor gas, and is carburized in at least one carburizing phase using a carbon donor gas. The first nitriding phase begins after the termination of the heating phase and before the beginning of the first carburizing phase.

Abstract: A housing includes a substrate made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, an ion implantation layer formed on the substrate, and a vacuum coated layer formed on the ion implantation layer. The ion implantation layer is implanted with one or more ion species selected from the group consisting of nitrogen ion, oxygen ion, and boron ion and is substantially comprised of one or more selected from the group consisting of aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, and aluminum boride. The implanted ions can improve the compactness of the ion implantation layer. Thus, the corrosion resistance of the housing can be improved.

Abstract: A wroughtable, cobalt alloy capable of through thickness nitridation and strengthening using practical treatments and practical sheet thicknesses contains in weight percent about 23 to about 30% chromium, about 15 to about 25% iron, up to about 27.3% nickel, about 0.75 to about 1.7% titanium, about 0.85 to about 1.9% niobium or zirconium, up to 0.2% carbon, up to 0.015% boron, up to 0.015% rare earth elements, up to 0.5% aluminum, up to 1% manganese, up to 1% silicon, up to 1% tungsten, up to 1% molybdenum, and the balance cobalt plus impurities and the total weight percent of titanium plus niobium or equivalents is from about 1.6 to about 3.6.

Abstract: A Co—Cr—Mo alloy with nitrogen addition composed of 26 to 35% by weight of Cr, 2 to 8% by weight of Mo, 0.1 to 0.3% by weight of N, and balance of Co is subjected to solution treatment and then subjected to isothermal aging treatment holding the alloy at 670 to 830° C. for a predetermined period of time to form a multi-phase structure composed of an ?-phase and a Cr nitride by means of an isothermal aging effect. After cooling, the alloy subjected to reverse transformation treatment in which the alloy is heated at a temperature range of 870 to 1100° C. for reverse transformation to a single ?-phase from the multi-phase structure composed of an ?-phase and a Cr nitride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing process of a structural component for a motor vehicle, wherein a plate bar is heated, is fed to a die in the heated state and is shaped in the die. The process is characterized in that the plate bar is subjected to a nitriding process before the shaping. Furthermore, a plate bar for hot-forming for manufacturing a structural component for a motor vehicle is described, wherein the surface of the plate bar has a nitrided layer. Finally, the present invention relates to a structural component of a motor vehicle, which is manufactured by hot forming from a plate bar having a nitrided layer.

Abstract: Rare earth-activated aluminum nitride powders are made using a solution-based approach to form a mixed hydroxide of aluminum and a rare earth metal, the mixed hydroxide is then converted into an ammonium metal fluoride, preferably a rare earth-substituted ammonium aluminum hexafluoride ((NH4)3Al1-xRExF6), and finally the rare earth-activated aluminum nitride is formed by ammonolysis of the ammonium metal fluoride at a high temperature. The use of a fluoride precursor in this process avoids sources of oxygen during the final ammonolysis step which is a major source of defects in the powder synthesis of nitrides. Also, because the aluminum nitride is formed from a mixed hydroxide co-precipitate, the distribution of the dopants in the powder is substantially homogeneous in each particle.

Abstract: A method of producing high strength nanophase metal alloy powder by cryomilling metal powder under conditions which cause the formation of intrinsic nitrides, and of producing high strength metal articles by subjecting the nitrided cryomilled powder to thermo-mechanical processing. The intrinsic nitrides present within the alloy significantly reduce grain growth during thermo-mechanical processing, resulting in formed metal products of high strength and improved ductility.

Abstract: A method of processing a superalloy powder includes mechanically alloying nitrogen with superalloy powder particles having at least one nitride-forming element such that each superalloy powder particle includes a microstructure having nitrogen dispersed throughout the microstructure. The powder may then be formed into an article having nitride regions dispersed throughout.

Abstract: A surface processing method and power transmission component includes transforming a surface region of a metal alloy into a hardened surface region at a temperature that is less than a heat treating temperature of the metal alloy. The metal alloy includes about 11.1 wt % Ni, about 13.4 wt % Co, about 3.0 wt % Cr, about 0.2 wt % C, and about 1.2 wt % Mo which reacts with the C to form a metal carbide precipitate of the form M2C. The surface processing temperature, vacuum pressure, precursor gas flow and ratio, and time of processing are controlled to provide a desirable hardened surface region having a gradual transition in nitrogen concentration.

Abstract: A method of providing a porous surface on a nickel substrate comprising treating the substrate with a flowing stream of gas comprising ammonia or hydrazine at a temperature of at least 4000 C, the resultant porous surface comprising pores which are substantially all interconnected and have access to the surface.

Abstract: Low temperature carburization of a workpiece surface is accomplished faster by impregnating the surface with a diffusion promoter prior to or during the low temperature carburization process.

Abstract: A body of iron, steel or other such ferrous material is protected from thermochemical erosion by a layer of an iron nitride having a relatively low nitrogen content. The atomic percentage of nitrogen in the iron nitride layer is no greater than 20%, and in specific embodiments is in the range of 10-15%. The nitride layer may have a layer of a refractory material deposited thereatop. Some refractory materials include metals such as chromium. The invention has specific utility for protecting gun barrels, turbines, internal combustion engines, drilling equipment, machine tools, aerospace systems and chemical reactors which are exposed to extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. Specifically disclosed is a gun barrel which incorporates the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to valve metal particles uniformly containing nitrogen and a method for preparing the same, and a valve metal green pellet and a sintered pellet made from the particles, and an electrolytic capacitor anode. The present invention provides valve metal particles uniformly containing nitrogen, wherein the difference ratio of nitrogen contents of particles is 20% or less. The present invention provides a process for preparing said valve metal particles uniformly containing nitrogen, wherein the raw material particles of the valve metal were heated in a nitrogen-containing gas at a temperature of 200° C. or less for 2 hours or more. The present invention also provides a valve metal green pellet made from said valve metal particles. The present invention also provides a valve metal sintered pellet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a worked molybdenum-alloy material that can be used at higher temperatures than at least temperatures at which known TZM alloys are used. A worked molybdenum-alloy material having high strength and high toughness includes at least one of carbide particles, oxide particles, and boride particles and fine nitride particles dispersed by internal nitriding of an untreated worked molybdenum-alloy material in which a nitride-forming-metal element is dissolved to form a solid solution in a molybdenum matrix and at least one of carbide particles, oxide particles, and boride particles is precipitated and dispersed.

Abstract: A method for diffusing titanium and nitride into a base material having a coating thereon using conventional surface treatments or coatings. The method generally includes the steps of providing a base material having a coating thereon; providing a salt bath which includes sodium dioxide and a salt selected from the group consisting of sodium cyanate and potassium cyanate; dispersing metallic titanium formed by electrolysis of a titanium compound in the bath; heating the salt bath to a temperature ranging from about 430° C. to about 670° C.; and soaking the base material in the salt bath for a time of from about 10 minutes to about 24 hours. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, titanium and nitride may be diffused into a base material without a coating. The treated base material may further be treated with conventional surface treatments or coatings.

Abstract: Inorganic compositions were prepared by melt spinning. An inorganic melt was sent to a spinning wheel. As the melt contacts the wheel, it cools and is converted into a solid composition. A melt prepared from lanthanum halide powder and cerium halide powder was converted to a scintillator product of nanoparticles embedded in a glassy matrix.

Abstract: There is provided an aluminum surface treatment process, comprising: preparing an aluminum material containing silicon and magnesium; and plasma nitriding the aluminum material to form an aluminum nitride region on a surface of the aluminum material.

Abstract: A wroughtable, cobalt alloy capable of through thickness nitridation and strengthening using practical treatments and practical sheet thicknesses contains in weight percent about 23 to about 30% chromium, about 15 to about 25% iron, up to about 27.3% nickel, about 0.75 to about 1.7% titanium, about 0.85 to about 1.9% niobium or zirconium, up to 0.2% carbon, up to 0.015% boron, up to 0.015% rare earth elements, up to 0.5% aluminum, up to 1% manganese, up to 1% silicon, up to 1% tungsten, up to 1% molybdenum, and the balance cobalt plus impurities and the total weight percent of titanium plus niobium or equivalents is from about 1.6 to about 3.6.

Abstract: The invention relates to components made of steel, more particularly outer joint parts and inner joint parts of constant velocity joints, and to a process of heat treating such components made of steel. The heat treatment operation includes the process stages of nitriding, induction surface layer hardening and tempering, which processes follow one another. As a result of the nitriding operation, the joint parts are provided with a surface layer (15) including nitrides and a diffusion layer (18) positioned thereunderneath. The subsequent induction hardening process causes the diffusion layer (18) to be hardened, so that it comprises good supporting characteristics for supporting the surface layer (15) positioned above same.

Abstract: A titanium based carbonitride alloy contains Ti, Nb, W, C, N and Co. The alloy also contains, in addition to Ti, Co with only impurity levels of Ni and Fe, 4-7 at % Nb, 3-8 at % W and has a C/(C+N) ratio of 0.50-0.75. The Co content is 9-<12 at % for general finishing applications and 12-16% for semifinishing applications. The amount of undissolved Ti(C,N) cores must be kept between 26 and 37 vol % of the hard constituents, the balance being one or more complex carbonitrides containing Ti, Nb and W. The invented alloy is particularly useful for semifinishing of steel and cast iron.

Abstract: Nitrided valve metals are described, such as nitrided tantalum and nitrided niobium. The nitrided valve metals preferably have improved flow properties, higher Scott Densities, and/or improved pore size distribution which leads to improved physical properties of the valve metal and improved electrical properties once the valve metal is formed into a capacitor anode. Processes for preparing a nitrided valve metal are further described and involve nitriding the valve metal at a sufficient temperature and pressure during a heat treatment that is prior to the deoxidation step. Capacitor anodes and other products incorporating the valve metals of the present invention are further described.

Abstract: A nitrogen containing niobium powder is disclosed as well as electrolytic capacitors formed from the niobium powders. Methods to reduce DC leakage in a niobium anode are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refractory-metal-based alloy material having a remarkably enhanced toughness and strength, by internally nitriding a nitride-forming metal element incorporated as a solid solution into an alloy worked piece, which has a parent phase consisting of one element selecting from Mo, W and Cr, at a temperature equal to or lower than a recrystallization upper limit temperature of the worked piece to dispersedly yield ultra-fine nitride particles to the worked piece and thereby raise a recrystallization lower limit temperature of the worked piece, and then subjecting the internally nitrided worked piece to a second nitriding treatment at a temperature equal to or more than the raised recrystallization lower limit temperature, wherein at least in the surface region of the worked piece has a structure in which ultra-fine nitride precipitated particles are grown and stabilized with keeping the worked structure of the worked piece.

Abstract: Nanostructured non-stoichiometric non-equilibrium materials are disclosed. Novel electromagnetic materials and their applications are discussed. More specifically, the specifications teach the use of nanotechnology and nanostructured materials for developing novel electrical devices and products.

Abstract: A nitriding portion made of aluminum nitride as a main ingredient having a high concentration region in which an element mentioned below is existent at a high concentration and a low concentration region in which the element existent at a low concentration is formed on a surface of a substrate made of aluminum, aluminum alloy or aluminum-containing composite material by existing at least one element other than aluminum selected from Group 2A, Group 3A, Group 4A and Group 4B in Periodic Table in a stepwise manner. Thereby, it is possible to form the nitriding portion which shows a high corrosion resistance property with respect to a halogen-based corrosive gas.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sliding member which is coated a film having superior wear resistance, superior scuffing resistance and a superior property not to increase an amount of wear on an opponent material (an opponent attacking property). This object can be achieved by providing a sliding member coated by a Cr—B—N alloy film 4 on an outer surface 3 thereof. In this case, it is preferable that the Cr—B—N alloy film is formed through a physical vapor deposition, particularly ion plating, vacuum deposition, or sputtering. Further, it is preferable that the boron (B) content is within the range of 0.05-20 wt.%.

Abstract: A method of treating structures (and the structure formed thereby), so as to prevent or retard the oxidation of a metal film, and/or prevent its delamination a substrate, includes providing a structure including a refractory metal film formed on a substrate, placing the structure into a vessel having a base pressure below approximately 10−7 torr, exposing the structure to a silane gas at a sufficiently high predetermined temperature and predetermined pressure to cause formation of a metal silicide layer on the refractory metal film, and exposing the structure to a second gas at a sufficiently high temperature and pressure to nitride the metal silicide layer into a nitrided layer.

Abstract: A method for treating metal workpieces, including non-ferrous metal workpieces such as Titanium. The metal workpieces are heat soaked for a predetermined amount of time in a furnace at a predetermined temperature. An interstitial element is introduced into the area adjacent to the surface of the metal workpieces until a predetermined concentration of the interstitial element exists in the area adjacent to the metal workpieces. The treated metal workpieces are then cooled, resulting in the metal workpieces having a diffusion region formed which extends into the body of the metal workpieces. The region has a gradient of the interstitial element formed therein.