Plasma nitriding is a high tech treatment which gives metal parts incredibly hard surfaces. It’s a low pressure process carried out in chamber filled with a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen. A very high voltage is applied between the component and the chamber wall. This generates a purple plasma around the part. On the surface of the part, nitrogen-rich nitrides are formed and decompose, releasing active nitrogen which penetrates the metal surface and forms a hard shell in the top layers of the part. Plasma nitriding allows modification of the surface according to the desired properties. Tailor made layers and hardness profiles can be achieved by adapting the gas mixture.