Verfahren zur Oberflaechenverguetung von metallischen Bauteilen

(A1) Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Oberflaechenverguetung von metallischen Bauteilen, insbesondere aus Aluminium oder einer Aluminiumlegierung, die im Verlauf ihres Herstellungsprozesses nach einer Formgebung noch einer Waermebehandlung unterzogen werden. Bei dem Verfahren erfolgt die Oberflaechenverguetung durch Haertung einer Randschicht mittels Plasmadiffusion in einer Plasmaanlage, wobei die Waermebehandlung simultan zur Plasmadiffusion durch eine gesteuerte Temperaturfuehrung waehrend der Plasmadiffusion erfolgt. Im Anschluss an diese Waermebehandlung und Plasmadiffusion kann dann noch eine Beschichtung auf die gehaertete Randschicht aufgebracht werden. Das Verfahren ermoeglicht die Erzeugung von Bauteilen aus Aluminium oder Aluminiumlegierungen mit verschleissfesten Oberflaechen.

WO 2010043364 A1 UPAB: 20100506 NOVELTY - The method for surface coating the metal components that are made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, comprises subjecting the metal components to a heat treatment during the course of the production process after a shaping process. The surface coating of the components is carried out by hardening a boundary layer by plasma diffusion in a plasma system. The heat treatment is conducted simultaneously with the plasma diffusion using controlled temperature management during the plasma diffusion process. The plasma diffusion is carried out with high-frequency plasma. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The method for surface coating the metal components that are made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, comprises subjecting the metal components to a heat treatment during the course of the production process after a shaping process. The surface coating of the components is carried out by hardening a boundary layer by plasma diffusion in a plasma system. The heat treatment is conducted simultaneously with the plasma diffusion using controlled temperature management during the plasma diffusion process. The plasma diffusion is carried out with high-frequency plasma. A coating is applied to the hardened boundary layer in connection to the heat treatment and plasma diffusion process. Before the plasma diffusion process, an oxide layer, which is formed after shaping blanks of the components, is removed by a sputtering process (AA). A deterrence of the components required in the frame of heat treatment takes place by injecting liquid nitrogen into the plasma system. The surface coating comprises a coating of the component, which is introduced on the hardened boundary layer. A quenching process (DD), during which a post-nitriding process (EE) takes place under nitrogen atmosphere, is carried out in the plasma system between the plasma diffusion process and coating process. A diamond-like carbon layer or a boron nitride layer is applied as coating and the coating is applied by plasma chemical vapor deposition or plasma physical vapor deposition. The plasma diffusion process and coating process take place in a passage process in the same plasma system. A pre-nitriding process (BB) is carried out between the sputtering process and the plasma diffusion. The hardening of the boundary layer takes place by a plasma-nitriding process (CC). USE - Method for surface coating the metal components, which are useful in mechanical and automotive engineering for engine blocks, cylinder heads or gear housing. ADVANTAGE - The method is capable of simply and efficiently surface coating the metal components with high wear-resistance and corrosion resistance.