Processing method and processing apparatus for metal component

A processing method for a metal component by using a processing furnace, comprising:

• a metal-component loading step of loading a metal component into a processing furnace;
• an activation atmospheric-gas introducing step of introducing an activation atmospheric gas into the processing furnace;
• a first heating step of heating the activation atmospheric gas in the processing furnace to a first temperature;
• a main atmospheric-gas introducing step of introducing a nitriding atmospheric gas or a nitrocarburizing atmospheric gas into the processing furnace, after the first heating step;
• and
• a second heating step of heating the nitriding atmospheric gas or the nitrocarburizing atmospheric gas in the processing furnace to a second temperature in order to nitride or nitrocarburize the metal component;
• wherein
• during the first heating step, a liquid organic solvent is introduced intermittently a plurality of times into the processing furnace,
• the activation atmospheric gas includes an ammonia gas, and the organic solvent includes a chlorine-containing compound.

A processing apparatus for a metal component, comprising:

• a processing furnace;
• a metal-component loading mechanism for loading a metal component into the processing furnace;
• an atmospheric-gas introduction pipe arranged to communicate with an inside of the processing furnace for introducing an atmospheric gas into the processing furnace;
• an organic-solvent introduction unit for introducing a liquid organic solvent intermittently a plurality of times into the processing furnace, and
• a heating unit for heating the atmospheric gas in the processing furnace to
• a predetermined temperature,
• wherein
• the atmospheric gas is an activation atmospheric gas,
• the activation atmospheric gas includes an ammonia gas, and
• the organic solvent is composed of a compound including at least one type of hydrocarbon.

A processing apparatus for a metal component, comprising:

• a processing furnace;
• a metal-component loading mechanism for loading a metal component into the processing furnace;
• an atmospheric-gas introduction pipe arranged to communicate with an inside of the processing furnace for introducing an atmospheric gas into the processing furnace;
• an organic-solvent introduction unit for introducing a liquid organic solvent intermittently a plurality of times into the processing furnace, and
• a heating unit for heating the atmospheric gas in the processing furnace to a predetermined temperature,
• wherein
• the atmospheric gas is an activation atmospheric gas,
• the activation atmospheric gas includes an ammonia gas, and
• the organic solvent includes a chlorine-containing compound.