Case nitrided aluminum product, process for case nitriding the same, and nitriding agent for the same

Abstract

A case nitrided aluminum product is produced by contacting an aluminum product with a nitriding agent at a part of a surface thereof at least, and by nitriding the aluminum product at the surface with an ambient gas at a temperature of a melting point of the aluminum product or less while keeping the aforementioned contact. The nitriding agent includes an aluminum powder, and the ambient gas virtually includes a nitrogen gas. The resulting nitriding layer has a depth of 5 micrometers or more, and it exhibits a case hardness of from 250 to 1,200 mHv. Thus, it is possible to form the deep and hard nitriding layer on the aluminum product with ease under the conditions where it has been said to be too difficult to nitride aluminum products. The case nitrided aluminum product can appropriately make sliding parts which require high wear resistance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.