Abstract: Methods of hardening a case-nitrided metal article, methods of producing a hardened case-nitrided metal article, and hardened case-nitrided metal articles. The methods of hardening a case-nitrided metal article include heating the case-nitrided metal article to an aging temperature, maintaining the case-nitrided metal article at the aging temperature for an aging time, and cooling the case-nitrided metal article from the aging temperature. The methods of producing a hardened case-nitrided metal article include case-nitriding a metal article to produce a case-nitrided metal article and subsequently hardening the case-nitrided metal article. The hardened case-nitrided metal article comprises a body formed of a metal or a metal alloy, a surface surrounding the body, and a nitrided case layer formed in the body and extending inwardly from the surface of the body toward the core that includes a hardness that is greater than that of an otherwise equivalent case-nitrided metal article.

Abstract: Methods of hardening a case-nitrided metal article, methods of producing a hardened case-nitrided metal article, and hardened case-nitrided metal articles. The methods of hardening a case-nitrided metal article include heating the case-nitrided metal article to an aging temperature, maintaining the case-nitrided metal article at the aging temperature for an aging time, and cooling the case-nitrided metal article from the aging temperature. The methods of producing a hardened case-nitrided metal article include case-nitriding a metal article to produce a case-nitrided metal article and subsequently hardening the case-nitrided metal article. The hardened case-nitrided metal article comprises a body formed of a metal or a metal alloy, a surface surrounding the body, and a nitrided case layer formed in the body and extending inwardly from the surface of the body toward the core that includes a hardness that is greater than that of an otherwise equivalent case-nitrided metal article.

Abstract: Methods of hardening a case-nitrided metal article, methods of producing a hardened case-nitrided metal article, and hardened case-nitrided metal articles. The methods of hardening a case-nitrided metal article include heating the case-nitrided metal article to an aging temperature, maintaining the case-nitrided metal article at the aging temperature for an aging time, and cooling the case-nitrided metal article from the aging temperature. The methods of producing a hardened case-nitrided metal article include case-nitriding a metal article to produce a case-nitrided metal article and subsequently hardening the case-nitrided metal article. The hardened case-nitrided metal article comprises a body formed of a metal or a metal alloy, a surface surrounding the body, and a nitrided case layer formed in the body and extending inwardly from the surface of the body toward the core that includes a hardness that is greater than that of an otherwise equivalent case-nitrided metal article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a part. The part may be positioned in a chamber. The part may be comprised of a metal and may be a positioned part. A gas containing nitrogen may be sent into the chamber. An electromagnetic field may be generated in the chamber with the gas. The electromagnetic field may heat a portion of the metal in the positioned part to a temperature from about 60 percent to about 99 percent of the melting point of the metal such that the portion of the metal has a desired hardness. The portion of the metal may extend from a surface of the positioned part to a selected depth from the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a part. The part may be positioned in a chamber. The part may be comprised of a metal and may be a positioned part. A gas containing nitrogen may be sent into the chamber. An electromagnetic field may be generated in the chamber with the gas. The electromagnetic field may heat a portion of the metal in the positioned part to a temperature from about 60 percent to about 99 percent of the melting point of the metal such that the portion of the metal has a desired hardness. The portion of the metal may extend from a surface of the positioned part to a selected depth from the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a part. The part may be positioned in a chamber. The part may be comprised of a metal and may be a positioned part. A gas containing nitrogen may be sent into the chamber. An electromagnetic field may be generated in the chamber with the gas. The electromagnetic field may heat a portion of the metal in the positioned part to a temperature from about 60 percent to about 99 percent of the melting point of the metal such that the portion of the metal has a desired hardness. The portion of the metal may extend from a surface of the positioned part to a selected depth from the surface.