Solid state nitrogenation of carbon-free ferro-chromium

Nitrogenation of solid, carbon-free ferro-chrome was studied by bench scale experiments. The depth of nitrided zone was measured by means of microhardness measurements. On the basis of the bench scale experiments, pilot plant production studies were successfully conducted to produce ferro-chrome containing 4% nitrogen. The process economics are discussed and found to be cheaper than other conventional processes. (N. Subrahmanyam, R.G. Ganguly and M. Subramanian)