How well does gas-nitrocarburisation protect shafts from corrosion?

Shafts with various surface treatments were tested in combination with iglidur® plain bearings

Initial situation

Corrosion protection of shafts is a particularly relevant topic when a bearing point is not to be lubricated. This is because corroded shafts are not suitable mating partners for a plain bearing. Galvanised shafts are generally not resistant enough in the contact area with the plain bearing. As a possible alternative, igus® has therefore tested gas-nitrocarburised shafts for their corrosion resistance.

Different shafts and coatings put to the salt spray test

The test setup

The shaft material 42Cromo4 QT was tested with various surface treatments in combination with the plain bearings igutex® TX1 and iglidur® G. First, a wear test was carried out with all plain bearing-shaft combinations. The tested shafts were then subjected to a 120-hour salt spray test.

Tested shaft material after 120-hour salt spray test

Left: iglidur® G plain bearing with 42CrMo4 + QT shaft Right: igutex® TX1 with 42CrMo4 + QT shaft

Left: iglidur® G plain bearing with gas-nitrocarburised 42CrMo4 QT shaft Right: igutex® TX1 plain bearing with gas-nitrocarburised 42CrMo4 QT shaft

Left: iglidur® G plain bearing with gas-nitrocarburised and post-oxidised 42CrMo4 QT shaft Right: igutex® TX1 plain bearing with gas-nitrocarburised and post-oxidised 42CrMo4 QT shaft

Test result

In addition to the very good test results of iglidur® G, even lower wear rates were achieved with igutex® TX1 bearings. The salt spray test shows that the gas-nitrocarburised shaft is not significantly protected against corrosion. The gas-nitrocarburised and post-oxidised shaft, on the other hand, shows only very slight traces of corrosion. Even in the contact area of the plain bearings, the corrosion protection is still intact after 120 hours of salt spray testing.

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