Abstract: The invention describes a method of heat-treating an article, which includes a first step of heating the article to a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 1 to 3 millibar in an atmosphere comprising hydrogen for a period of 0.1 to 50 hours to produce a hot article, a second step of heating the hot article at a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 1 to 3 millibar in an atmosphere comprising at least one of hydrogen, argon, and nitrogen, for 0.1 to 50 hours to produce a preliminary heat treated article, and a third step of heating the preliminary heat treated article at a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 1 to 3 millibar in an atmosphere comprising at least one of hydrogen, nitrogen, and a hydrocarbon gas, for 0.1 to 50 hours; to produce a heat-treated article.

Abstract: Provided is an exhaust system for an engine in which a fastening force of a fastener hardly decreases. An exhaust system for an engine includes: an exhaust passage component of ferrous metal; and a fastener that fastens the exhaust passage component to other parts, the exhaust passage component including a pressure receiving surface that receives a fastening force of the fastener. The oxide film of triiron tetraoxide is formed on the pressure receiving surface of the exhaust passage component. It is preferable that the oxide film of triiron tetraoxide be also formed on an outer surface other than the pressure receiving surface of the exhaust passage component. It is preferable that the oxide film of triiron tetraoxide be also formed on an inner surface of the exhaust passage component.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method for a sliding member, a nitrogen diffusion layer, a nitrogen compound layer, and an oxidation layer are formed by executing a first step of cooling a workpiece formed of a steel material after heating the workpiece in an atmosphere containing ammonia at 570 to 660° C., a second step of performing, subsequently to the first step, tempering while pressurizing a front surface side of the workpiece, and a third step of performing, subsequently to the second step, steam treatment of heating the workpiece in a steam atmosphere.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a ferritic nitrocarburized part comprising steel, wherein the ferritic nitrocarburized steel has a tensile strength exceeding the parent steel material and sufficient ductility, bendability, and flangeability to support subsequent flanging and press-fitting of bushings. Exact strength increases and bendability will be dependent on exact process and alloy combinations.

Abstract: An article for magnetic heat exchange includes a functionally-graded monolithic sintered working component including La1-aRa(Fe1-x-yTyMx)13HzCb with a NaZn13-type structure. M is one or more of the elements from the group consisting of Si and Al, T is one or more of the elements from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ni, Ti, V and Cr and R is one or more of the elements from the group consisting of Ce, Nd, Y and Pr. A content of the one or more elements T and R, if present, a C content, if present, and a content of M varies in a working direction of the working component and provides a functionally-graded Curie temperature. The functionally-graded Curie temperature monotonically decreases or monotonically increases in the working direction of the working component.

Abstract: Provided herein are variably flexible (i.e., variably stiff) metal alloys and methods of making the variably flexible (i.e., variably stiff) metal alloys. A variably flexible (i.e., variably stiff) metal alloy is a metal alloy that has areas of differing flexibility (i.e., stiffness, rigidity or elasticity) along a length of the metal alloy when the metal alloy is subjected to a load in use. Also provided herein are methods of making variably flexible (i.e., variably stiff) metal alloys and products including casting a metal alloy and selectively heat treating portions of the metal alloy to achieve predetermined stiffnesses in those portions.

Abstract: A steel material of the disclosure has a chemical composition containing, in mass %: 0.03% to 0.3% C; 0.03% to 1.0% Si; 0.1% to 2.0% Mn; 0.003% to 0.03% P; 0.005% or less S; 0.005% to 0.1% Al; 0.005% to 0.5% Cu; 0.01% to 0.5% Sb; and 0.005% to 0.5% Ni, with a balance being Fe and incidental impurities. Thus, the steel material has excellent alcohol-induced pitting corrosion resistance and alcohol-induced SCC resistance, and can be used for large structures with no need for coating, inhibitor addition, or the like by improving the pitting corrosion resistance and SCC resistance of the steel material itself.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a brake disk made of gray cast iron is disclosed. The method includes casting a disk body using gray cast iron containing 3.1 wt % to 3.7 wt % of C; machining a surface of the cast disk body; nitriding the disk body by exposing the machined surface to a temperature in the range of 540° C. to 580° C. for 50 min to 70 min, and coating the nitrided disk body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a brake disk made of gray cast iron is disclosed. The method includes casting a disk body using gray cast iron containing 3.1 wt % to 3.7 wt % of C; machining a surface of the cast disk body; nitriding the disk body by exposing the machined surface to a temperature in the range of 540° C. to 580° C. for 50 min to 70 min, and coating the nitrided disk body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a double-headed swash type compressor, and a distance between an outer peripheral surface of a shaft (20) and an inner peripheral surface of a shaft bore (11) is greater than a distance between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft (20) and an inner peripheral surface of a journal bearing (30).

Abstract: Provided is a gas nitrocarburizing method forming a nitride layer in a surface layer portion of a workpiece made of steel by heating the workpiece within a heat treatment furnace into which a heat treatment gas is introduced, the heat treatment gas containing ammonia gas and at least one of carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas, and having a remainder formed of an impurity.

Abstract: A vehicular disc brake rotor is provided with a cast-iron base, a nitrogen diffusion layer formed on the cast-iron base, a nitrogen compound layer formed on the nitrogen diffusion layer, and an iron oxide layer including Fe3O4 and formed on the nitrogen compound layer. In a burnish and a first re-burnish of a “Passenger car-Braking device-Dynamometer test procedures” (which is based on JASO C 406:2000), a change ratio of a frictional coefficient between the burnish and the first re-burnish is 10% or less.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high-strength transmission gear, manufactured by gas-nitriding a nitriding steel having a composition including iron (Fe) as a main component, 0.25˜0.40 wt % of carbon (C), 0.50˜1.0 wt % of manganese (Mn), 2.0˜3.0 wt % of chromium (Cr), 0.3˜1.0 wt % of molybdenum (Mo), 0.2˜0.7 wt % of copper (Cu), 0.03˜0.1 wt % of niobium (Nb), 0.03˜0.1 wt % of aluminum (Al), 0.05˜0.15 wt % of vanadium (V), 0.001˜0.005 wt % of boron (B) and other inevitable impurities. More specifically, while gas-nitriding of the nitriding steel, the temperature is increased in steps, and the ratio of nitrogen gas in the nitriding steel is decreased in steps.

Abstract: A piston ring comprising upper face, a lower face, an inner perimeter wall, and an outer perimeter wall that extends around the piston ring from the upper face to the lower face, where the outer perimeter wall has upper corner region disposed adjacent the upper face, a lower corner region disposed adjacent the lower face, and a band of a nitrided conversion layer extending between the upper corner region and the lower corner region, and where a PVD nitride layer is disposed on the upper corner region and on the lower corner region.

Abstract: A coated piston ring having a base body of chromium steel with more than 10 wt.-% chromium and having an inner circumferential surface, a first flank surface, a second flank surface and an outer circumferential surface. The first flank surface comprises a nitride diffusion layer with a layer thickness of from 5-300 ?m, a nitride connecting layer with a layer thickness of from 0.5-15 ?m on the nitride diffusion layer, and an oxide layer with a layer thickness of from 0.05-3 ?m on the nitride connecting layer. The second flank surface comprises the nitride diffusion layer, and the outer circumferential surface comprises the nitride diffusion layer and a chromium solid particle layer with 0.1-30 vol.-% solid particles, relative to the total volume of the chromium solid particle layer on the nitride diffusion layer.

Abstract: A method of ultra-fast boriding of a metal surface. The method includes the step of providing a metal component, providing a molten electrolyte having boron components therein, providing an electrochemical boriding system including an induction furnace, operating the induction furnace to establish a high temperature for the molten electrolyte, and boriding the metal surface to achieve a boride layer on the metal surface.

Abstract: Use of a boron holding grease or fluid or oil for the purpose of increasing acid resistance and/or corrosion resistance in at least one metallic component of a flexible pipe body.

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: Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide methods of boronizing titanium and other metals and metal alloys. The method proceeds, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, by using a boron source, and placing it in a heated environment, followed by a reduced pressure environment, as is described in the disclosure. In a solid phase embodiment of the disclosure, boronized stainless steel alloys are produced having zero galling at 17,000 psi.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma nitriding surface treatment method for a gray cast iron part. In the plasma nitriding surface treatment method, a nitride layer is formed on a surface of the gray cast iron part by a selective ion nitriding treatment. The plasma nitriding surface treatment method is carried out such that the surface of the gray cast iron part is prevented from being deformed, and a reduction of the frictional coefficient of the part is prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing corrosion-resistant surfaces of nitrated or nitrocarburated steel components, the surfaces having roughness heights (Rz) of Rz?1.5 ?m. The method comprises the following steps: oxidation of the surfaces of the nitrated or nitrocarburated components in a first oxidation step; carrying out at least a second oxidation of the component surfaces in an immediately subsequent oxidation step; polishing the component surface in a final method step, directly after the final oxidation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a friction element (3) comprising the steps: providing a metal main body (10), hardening the main body (10) on at least part of its surface (11, 12) in a salt bath, wherein the salt bath hardening is the final method step, and no further processing of the hardened surface (11, 12) is performed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a friction element produced according to this method and a friction component comprising the latter.

Abstract: To provide a steel product excelling in both corrosion resistance and adhesion. A steel product having a nitride layer and a nitrogen diffused layer formed on the surface of a steel base material is provided. The nitride layer includes a first compound layer formed on a nitrogen diffused layer side and a second compound layer formed on a surface side of the first compound layer. The first compound layer has an ?-structure mainly made of Fe3N, and the second compound layer has a higher nitrogen concentration than the first compound layer and has a concavoconvex formed on the surface thereof. Thus, the nitride layer having excellent adhesion, an extremely small carbon containing amount, and high corrosion resistance can be formed.

Abstract: A vehicular disc brake rotor is provided with a cast-iron base, a nitrogen diffusion layer formed on the cast-iron base, a nitrogen compound layer formed on the nitrogen diffusion layer, and an iron oxide layer including Fe3O4 and formed on the nitrogen compound layer. In a burnish and a first re-burnish of a “Passenger car-Braking device-Dynamometer test procedures” (which is based on JASO C 406:2000), a change ratio of a frictional coefficient between the burnish and the first re-burnish is 10% or less.

Abstract: A cast-iron friction member is manufactured by: performing a nitrocarburizing treatment on a cast workpiece at a treatment temperature of 500° C. to 600° C. to thus form a nitrogen compound layer on a surface of the workpiece; and exposing the workpiece to an atmosphere when a temperature becomes 400° C. to 480° C. after the nitrocarburizing treatment so as to cool the workpiece to a room temperature while keeping a contact state with oxygen to thus form an iron oxide layer including Fe3O4 on a surface of the nitrogen compound layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a machine component includes the steps of: preparing a member made of steel; forming a film containing vanadium at a surface by subjecting the member to oxidation; and forming a nitrogen-enriched layer by heating the member having the film formed in a heat treatment gas atmosphere containing nitrogen gas and absent of ammonia gas for carbonitriding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma nitriding surface treatment method for a gray cast iron part. In the plasma nitriding surface treatment method, a nitride layer is formed on a surface of the gray cast iron part by a selective ion nitriding treatment. The plasma nitriding surface treatment method is carried out such that the surface of the gray cast iron part is prevented from being deformed, and a reduction of the frictional coefficient of the part is prevented.

Abstract: Providing an iron and steel material having quenched surface part, avoiding oxidation of a compound layer formed on the surface of the iron and steel material due to quenching, its production method, and an induction-quenched component. A quenched iron and steel material 10 comprises an iron and steel material 11, a compound layer 12 formed on the iron and steel material 11, and an antioxidant cover layer 13 formed on the compound layer 12. The iron and steel material 11 has a hardened layer having a given depth, and the surface of the iron and steel material 11 has enhanced hardness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, having a body containing metallic material, preferably iron. For controlling the degradation of the implant the method includes the following steps: (a) providing a first part of the implant body; and (b) performing heat treatment which alters the carbon content and/or the boron content and/or the nitrogen content in the structure of a near-surface boundary layer in the first part of the implant body in such a way that strain on the lattice or a lattice transformation, optionally following a subsequent mechanical load, is achieved in the near-surface boundary layer. Such an implant is also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a steel component with a metallic anti-corrosion coating from a sheet steel product comprising at least 0.4% by weight Mn is disclosed. The sheet steel product is annealed in a continuous furnace under an annealing atmosphere containing up to 25% by volume H2, 0.1% to 10% by volume NH3, H2O, N2, and process-related impurities as the remainder, at a dew point between ?50° C. and ?5° C. at a temperature of 400 to 1100° C. for 5 to 600 s. The annealed sheet steel product has a 5 to 200 ?m thick nitration layer with a particle size finer than the particle size of the inner core layer. Once coated with a metallic protective layer, a blank is separated from the annealed sheet steel product, heated to an austenitising temperature of 780 to 950° C., hot-formed, and cooled so that a hardened structure forms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steel product for gas carburizing used for manufacturing a carburized steel part. In the above steel product for gas carburizing, a composition of a base metal contains, in mass %, C: 0.1 to 0.4%, Si: exceeding 1.2 to 4.0%, Mn: 0.2 to 3.0%, Cr: 0.5 to 5.0%, Al: 0.005 to 0.1%, S: 0.001 to 0.3%, N: 0.003 to 0.03%, and O: limited to 0.0050% or less, and P: limited to 0.025% or less, and when the contents of Si, Mn, and Cr (mass %) are set to [Si %], [Mn %], and [Cr %], Expression (1) below is satisfied, and an alloy shortage layer satisfying Expression (2) below exists in a range from its surface to 2 to 50 ?m in depth. 32?3.5[Si %]+[Mn %]+3[Cr %]>9??(1) 3.

Abstract: Ferritic nitrocarburized surface treatment of cast iron brake rotors providing oxidation resistance, good braking performance and absence of distortion. Machined brake rotors are pre-heated, then immersed into a high temperature molten nitrocarburizing salt bath for a first predetermined dwell time. After removing the brake rotors from the nitrocarburizing salt bath, the brake rotors are directly immersed into an oxidizing salt bath at a lower temperature than the nitrocarburizing salt bath so that the brake rotors are thermally quenched. After a predetermined second dwell time in the oxidizing salt bath, the brake rotors are removed therefrom and further cooled to room temperature, either by water application thermal quenching or slow cooling in air. A fixture provides stable holding the brake rotors with a minimum of contact during placement in the salt baths.

Abstract: A gas injector including in which a gas is passed through high-voltage/low-current electrical discharges before being discharged into the chamber of a thermal treatment furnace. The electrical activation of the gas accelerates desirable reactions between the gas, gases in the furnace chamber, and the chamber workload. Preferably, a hot electrode is electrically charged and the other parts of the gas injector and the furnace are grounded. Also provided is a method for activating an atmosphere within the reaction chamber of a controlled-atmosphere reactor.

Abstract: An internal combustion piston comprises a modified layer produced by a surface treatment including injecting injection powders having a diameter of 20 ?m to 400 ?m and containing a reinforcing element to be collided with a surface of the internal combustion piston obtained by casting and forging by injecting at an injection speed of 80 m/s or more or at an injection pressure of 0.3 MPa or more, the reinforcing element improving a strength of an alloy comprising the piston when being diffused and penetrated in the alloy, wherein by the surface treatment, oxides generated on the surface of the piston by the casting and forging are removed, and surface flaws generated on the surface are repaired, whereby the modified layer is formed to have a uniformly fine-grained metal microstructure which contains the reinforcing element in the injection powders diffused and penetrated in the vicinity of the surface of the piston and an alloy element of the alloy comprising the piston.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide methods of boronizing titanium and other metals and metal alloys. The method proceeds, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, by using a boron source, and placing it in a heated environment, followed by a reduced pressure environment, as is described in the disclosure. In a solid phase embodiment of the disclosure, boronized stainless steel alloys are produced having zero galling at 17,000 psi.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of making an improved composition and medical implant made therefrom. The methods generally comprise forming a ceramic layer, diffusion hardening, and optionally, forming another ceramic layer. The present disclosure provides methods of making an improved composition having a thick diffusion hardened zone and orthopedic implants comprising the improved composition.

Abstract: A battery can of the present invention ensures a stable and favorable contact with an electrode and thus makes it possible to obtain a highly reliable battery excellent in high rate discharge characteristics. The battery can having an opening, including a cylindrical side portion and a bottom portion, of the present invention is formed from a steel plate. The steel plate has an Ni—Fe alloy layer on the inner face side of the battery can. The Ni—Fe alloy layer has an oxide layer containing iron and having a thickness of 10 to 50 nm on the inner face side of the battery can.

Abstract: A method for processing parts for kitchen tools in order to protect the parts from scratches, includes sequentially: a nitridation step, optionally including a nitrocarburizing step, between 592 and 750° C. in order to promote the formation of a nitrogen austenite layer; and a processing step for promoting the conversion of at least a portion of the nitrogen austenite into a phase with reinforced hardness.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for protecting metal surfaces in oil & gas exploration and production, refinery and petrochemical process applications subject to solid particulate erosion at temperatures of up to 1000° C. The method includes the step of providing the metal surfaces in such applications with a hot erosion resistant cermet lining or insert, wherein the cermet lining or insert includes a) about 30 to about 95 vol % of a ceramic phase, and b) a metal binder phase, wherein the cermet lining or insert has a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0 and a K1C fracture toughness of at least 7.0 MPa-m1/2. The metal surfaces may also be provided with a hot erosion resistant cermet coating having a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, having a body containing metallic material, preferably iron. For controlling the degradation of the implant the method includes the following steps: (a) providing a first part of the implant body; and (b) performing heat treatment which alters the carbon content and/or the boron content and/or the nitrogen content in the structure of a near-surface boundary layer in the first part of the implant body in such a way that strain on the lattice or a lattice transformation, optionally following a subsequent mechanical load, is achieved in the near-surface boundary layer. Such an implant is also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a carburized part by carburizing a steel member under a vacuum in a decompression furnace while feeding carburizing gas comprises a step for forming an oxide film on at least a part of a surface of the steel member, a step for generating carbon by reducing the oxide film with the carburizing gas, and a step for carburizing the surface of the steel member under a vacuum by diffusing the carbon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic/metal composite structure includes the steps of: performing a multi-stage pre-oxidizing process on the copper sheet; placing the copper sheet on a ceramic substrate; and heating the copper sheet and the ceramic substrate to a joining temperature to join the copper sheet and the ceramic substrate together to enhance interface strength between the copper sheet and the ceramic substrate according to the multi-stage pre-oxidizing process. The multi-stage pre-oxidizing process includes a first stage of pre-oxidizing process and a second stage of pre-oxidizing process, and the first and second stages of pre-oxidizing processes are performed in atmospheres with different oxygen partial pressures and at different temperatures.

Abstract: A method for surface treatment capable of easily improving a mechanical strength of an internal combustion piston at a reasonable cost is provided. A modified surface layer is formed by injecting injection powders containing a reinforcing element to be collided with an Al—Si alloy-based piston obtained by casting and forging by injecting under predetermined conditions, the reinforcing element being diffused and penetrated in the piston to improve the strength thereof. When a function, such as fuel modification, is imparted to the modified surface layer, an element exhibiting a photocatalytic function by oxidation, such as Ti, Sn, Zn, Zr, or W, is selected as the reinforcing element.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a center housing having a bearing surface configured to contact an inner surface of a unison ring. A conversion coating is impregnated onto at least the bearing surface of the center housing.

Abstract: A method for the production of wear-resistant edges for a keystone ring for internal combustion engines, involves forming a rectangular ring from a steel strip with a rectangular cross-section, grinding the ring edges and the outer circumferential faces to give the required profile and brushing the inner circumferential face, grinding the upper and lower ring edge to form the keystone ring, complete nitriding of the piston ring surface by a gas-nitriding process (GNS) to form a nitride layer, profiling the nitrided piston ring by grinding and lapping without machining the nitrided edges of the piston ring, stacking the piston rings on the parallel faces, coating the outer circumferential faces of the piston rings with a wearing layer, and grinding the nitrided layer of the faces in the stacked state such that at most a quarter of the total thickness of the nitrided layer is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for producing an NaZn13 magnetic alloy which enables to obtain a magnetic alloy having higher characteristics than ever before. Specifically disclosed is a magnetic alloy represented by the following composition formula: (La1-xRx)a(A1-yTMy)bHcNd (wherein R represents at least one or more elements selected from rare earth elements including Y; A represents Si, or Si and at least one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, Ge and Sn; TM represents Fe, or Fe and at least one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; and x, y, a, b, c and d respectively satisfy, in atomic percent, the following relations: 0?x?0.2, 0.75?y?0.92, 5.5?a?7.5, 73?b?85, 1.7?c?14 and 0.07?d <5.0; with unavoidable impurities being included).

Abstract: A method for producing a substrate having a carbon-doped titanium oxide layer, which is excellent in durability (high hardness, scratch resistance, wear resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance) and functions as a visible light responding photocatalyst, is provided. The surface of a substrate, which has at least a surface layer comprising titanium, a titanium alloy, a titanium alloy oxide, or titanium oxide, is heat-treated in a combustion gas atmosphere of a gas consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon, or in a gas atmosphere consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon, such that the surface temperature of the substrate is 900 to 1,500° C.; or a combustion flame of a gas consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon, is directly struck against the surface of the substrate for heat treatment such that the surface temperature of the substrate is 900 to 1,500° C., thereby forming a carbon-doped titanium oxide layer, whereby the substrate having the carbon-doped titanium oxide layer is obtained.

Abstract: This invention involves the technical area of chemical plating in aluminum radiators, referring specifically to the partial chemical plating technique in the inner cavity of aluminum radiator. It undergoes the inner cavity shielding before zinc impregnation and continues chemical oxidization in other parts in the chemical the based on the existing oxidization trough, making the unshielded area unable to sediment a layer of zinc and be plated with nickel and phosphors alloy. Then, it is applied with enclosure technique. The chemical oxidization and enclosure enable the sections other than the inner cavity in the aluminum radiator to be covered with a layer of oxidization film against erosion from acid and alkali, so the sections covered with a oxidization film will not accumulate a layer of zinc nor be plated with nickel and phosphor alloy in the subsequent zinc impregnation and nickel plating. Only the surface of the inner cavity is plated with nickel and phosphor alloy.

Abstract: A gas injector including in which a gas is passed through high-voltage/low-current electrical discharges before being discharged into the chamber of a thermal treatment furnace. The electrical activation of the gas accelerates desirable reactions between the gas, gases in the furnace chamber, and the chamber workload. Preferably, a hot electrode is electrically charged and the other parts of the gas injector and the furnace are grounded.

Abstract: Components, such as gears and other power transmission components, are formed by near-net-forging a high strength, high toughness ferrous metal alloy, surface processing metal alloy to form a hardened surface region (28), and coating the surface region with a lubricious coating (84) as shown in FIG. 9.