TUFFTRIDE®-QPQ-PROCESS

Dr. Joachim Boßlet / Michael Kreutz

Technical Information
 TUFFTRIDE® - QPQ - Process
Salt bath nitrocarburizing by the TUFFTRIDE process has
been applied in a wide range of industries throughout the
world for many decades. It is used to improve the wear
resistance, the fatigue strength and – in particular when
combined with the oxidative cooling – the corrosion
resistance of components made from steel, cast iron and
sintered iron materials. In many cases the TUFFTRIDE
process is used as an alternative to other surface
engineering processes such as case hardening, galvanic
(e.g. hard chrome plating), and other coating processes
(plastic coating, painting, laser coating etc.), also plasma
or gas nitrocarburizing with equally good or improved
quality and greater economy.

Carrying out the process

Compared with other nitrocarburizing

processes, the TUFFTRIDE Q, QP
and QPQ processes are very easy to


 


  
  carry out. As is usual when treating
components in salt baths, the parts
are first preheated to about 350°C in
  air. Nitrocarburizing takes place in a
so-called TF 1 bath at 480 - 630°C,
the standard temperature is usually



 

 580°C.
+
  The salt melt mainly consists of
alkali cyanate and alkali carbonate.


 It is operated in a pot made from
special material, and the pot is fit-
ted with an aeration device. The
active constituent in the TF 1 bath
is the alkali cyanate. During the
nitrocarburizing process a reaction
Fig. 1 takes place between the surface of
the components and the alkali
cyanate, resulting in the formation of alkali carbonate. By
adding specific amounts of the non-toxic regenerator
REG 1, the nitriding active constituents are again
produced in the salt melt and the activity of the TF 1 bath
is kept within very strict tolerances (Fig. 1).

TUFFTRIDE® is a registered trademark of Durferrit GmbH.

1
As the regeneration takes place without any change in
the volume of the nitrocarburizing bath, part of the melt
does not have to be bailed out. Drag-out losses which
occur when the parts are removed from the bath are
supplemented with TF 1 replenisher salt. Unlike gas
nitriding or gas nitrocarburizing, the substances – TF 1
and REG 1 - needed for the TUFFTRIDE QPQ process,
do not contain constituents classified as toxic or harmful
to the environment.

A specially developed cooling bath (AB 1 bath) is used

for carrying out the oxidative treatment after salt bath
nitrocarburizing. During this treatment a black iron oxide
layer (magnetite) is produced on the surface of the treated
parts, which greatly enhances the corrosion resistance.
The temperature of the cooling bath is 350-400°C. Apart
from the oxidative effect, the bath has a positive
influence on the dimensional stability of the cooled com-
ponents.

Thereafter, the parts are cooled to room temperature and

then cleaned (TUFFTRIDE Q process).

If the surface of the components after nitrocarburizing is

not smooth enough for certain applications, depending
on the size and shape of the parts, various polishing
methods can be used to reduce the roughness
(TUFFTRIDE QP process). Some proven methods are:

• Lapping with emery cloth grade 360 or finer;

• Polishing or continuous microfinishing with special
plastic discs similar to centreless polishing, or on an
automated lathe fixed between centre pieces or
clamped in;
• Polishing in a vibrating drum. This method is primarily
used for small and thin parts;
• Blasting with glass beads size 40-70 µm in diameter.
To prevent edges being excessively rounded off, or
the thickness of the compound layer reduced, the
pressure should not exceed 4 bar;
• Automated blasting with metal shot, if possible the
diameter should be less than 1 mm.

Mechanical processing can, however, partly reduce the

corrosion resistance gained. For this reason, in many
cases an oxidative post treatment in an AB 1 bath is
carried out after polishing.

2
 This complete process sequence is shown in Fig. 2 and
is in fact the TUFFTRIDE QPQ process. QPQ means
Quench Polish Quench and comprises TUFFTRIDE
treatment with oxidative cooling, mechanical processing
and oxidative post treatment in a salt melt.

Composition and
thickness of the
nitride layer
$
&" '()*+ - , ,
Compound layer
, ,
 During salt bath nitrocarburizing by
 

the TUFFTRIDE process a nitrocar-

burized layer is formed consisting
of the outer compound layer (ε -iron
$%








nitride) and the diffusion layer there-


#  under. The formation, micro-

structure and properties of the



"

"#

compound layer are determined by

the base material.

$ The compound layer consists of

compounds of iron, nitrogen, car-
bon and oxygen. Due to its
Fig. 2 microstructure, the compound
layer does not possess metallic
properties. It is particularly resis-
tant to wear, seizure and corro-
sion, as well as being stable
almost to the temperature at
which it was formed. Compared
with plasma or gas nitrocarburiz-
ing, compound layers with the
Hardnesses of various surface layers highest nitrogen content can be
obtained by the TUFFTRIDE
2500
<<<< <<
HVm process. Layers with a high nitro-
<<<<< << gen content give better protection
2000 << << against wear, and in particular
<< <<
<<< < corrosion, than those with a low
1500 << <
Hardness of layer

< < content.

1000
<
<< <<
<<
<< << Depending on the material used,
<< <<
500 << << the compound layer will have a
0 Marten- Hard Nickel Nitrided Borided Chrome Tungsten Titanium Vickers hardness of about 800 to
sitic chrome dispersed com- layer carbide carbide carbide 1500 HV. Fig. 3 shows a compari-
layer layer layer pound layer layer layer
layer (CVD) (CVD) (CVD) son of the surface layers produced
< C45 < 100Cr6 < S6-5-2 by various processes and their
< 42CrMo4 < X155CrVMo12 1 < X10CrNiTi18 9 hardness.
< 31CrMoV9 < X40CrMoV5 1 < X20Cr13

Fig. 3

3
In the metallographic analysis of salt bath nitrocarburized
components, that part of the total layer known as the
compound layer is defined clearly from the diffusion layer
thereunder as a slightly etched zone. During the diffusion
of atomic nitrogen the compound layer is formed. The
growing level of nitrogen results in the limit of solubility in
the surface zone being exceeded, which causes the
nitrides to precipitate and form a closed compound layer.

In addition to the treatment parameters (temperature,

duration, bath composition), the levels of carbon and
alloying elements in the materials to be treated influence
the thickness of layer obtainable. Although the growth
of the layer is lower the higher the content of alloy, the
hardness however increases to an equal extent.

The data shown in Fig. 4 were

determined in a TF 1 bath at



     

580°C. With the usual treating 
  
durations of 60-120 minutes, the
C15 - C45
compound layer obtained was Compound layer thickness
10-20 µm thick on most qualities MELONITE 1075¡F QT steel
of material.
Compound layer thickness in µm

Hot work steel

12 % Cr-steel GGL
Diffusion layer
The depth and hardness of the
diffusion layer are largely deter-
mined by the material. The higher
the alloying content in the steel,
the lower the nitrogen penetration
Treating time in the TF 1 - bath (hrs)
depth at equal treating duration.
On the other hand, the hardness
increases the higher the alloying
content. Fig. 4

In the case of unalloyed steels, the crystalline structure of

the diffusion layer is influenced by the rate of cooling after
nitrocarburizing. After rapid cooling in water, the diffused
nitrogen remains in solution. If cooling is done slowly, or
if a subsequent tempering is carried out, some of the
nitrogen could precipitate into iron nitride needles in the
outer region of the diffusion layer of unalloyed steels. This
precipitation improves the ductility of nitrocarburized
components. Unlike unalloyed steels, part of the
diffusion layer of high alloyed materials can be better
identified metallographically from the core structure, due
to the improved etchability.

4
 But the actual nitrogen penetration
is also considerably deeper than the

  
     

 darker etched area visible metallo-

   
 
  
 graphically.

% Cooling does not influence the for-

  
  mation of the diffusion layer to any
    noteworthy extent. Fig. 5 shows
%& 
 the depth of nitration on various

  
 '( )

% 
 materials in relation to the nitrocar-

 burizing duration.
%


!

% Surface hardness and
"

 ##$ tensile strength

%   

* ' +)
The surface hardness obtainable
by TUFFTRIDE treatment is mainly
influenced by the composition of
the material. The higher the
Fig. 5 content of nitride-forming alloying
elements (Cr, Mo, Al, V, Mn, Ti, W)
the greater the surface hardness.
Fig. 6 gives the average tensile
strength and surface hardness of
salt bath nitrocarburized steels.

 


 
    
 
 

  

 sind Richtwerte der Kernfestigkeit und OberflŠchen-


  !!"#$%
  


 &   '  () * () * () +
Ck15 1.1141 600 550 350 300 200
C45W3 1.1730 750 - 850 700 - 800 450 350 250
Ck60 1.1221 750 - 900 700 - 800 450 350 250
20MnCr5 1.7147 800 - 950 800 - 900 600 450 400
53MnSi4 1.5141 850 - 950 800 - 900 450 400 350
90MnV8 1.2842 1000 - 1200 900 - 1100 550 450 400
42CrMo4 1.7225 900 - 1200 900 - 1100 650 500 450
X19NiCrMo4 1.2764 900 - 1100 900 - 1000 600 500 450
55NiCrMoV6 1.2713 1200 - 1400 1150 - 1300 650 550 500
56NiCrMoV7 1.2714 1300 - 1500 1250 - 1400 650 550 500
50NiCr13 1.2721 1200 - 1350 1100 - 1200 600 500 450
X20Cr13 1.2082 1000 - 1200 1000 - 1200 > 900 600 450
X35CrMo17 1.4122 1000 - 1200 1000 - 1200 > 900 700 550
X210Cr12 1.2080 1500 - 1700 1400 - 1600 > 800 600 450
X210CrW12 1.2436 1500 - 1800 1400 - 1650 > 800 600 500
X165CrMoV12 1.2601 1400 - 1900 1400 - 1700 > 800 650 500
45CrMoW58 1.2603 1500 - 1800 1400 - 1700 800 700 600
X32CrMoV33 1.2365 1700 - 1800 1600 - 1750 > 900 850 700
X38CrMoV51 1.2343 1700 - 1900 1500 - 1700 > 900 850 700
X37CrMoW51 1.2606 1700 - 1900 1600 - 1800 > 900 800 700
X30WCrV53 1.2567 1700 - 1900 1600 - 1800 > 900 850 750
X30WCrV93 1.2581 1500 - 1800 1500 - 1700 > 900 850 800

Fig. 6

5
Changes in component
properties through the
QPQ treatment

Corrosion resistance

To determine the corrosion resistance of samples and

components, a salt spray test (German Standard DIN
50021) and a total immersion test (German Standard
DIN 50905/part 4) are often carried out.

In the simple salt spray test the

parts are subjected to a fine mist of
a 5% solution of sodium chloride at
35°C. This test is referred to in the 40 hrs 80 hrs 180 hrs
German Standard as SS.

Fig. 7 shows the results of a salt

spray test conducted in accor-
dance with DIN 50021 SS on hard
chrome plated piston rods and
TUFFTRIDE nitrocarburized ones
made from unalloyed steel C35.
The piston rods were either hard
chrome plated to a layer thickness
Piston rods C35
of 15-20 µm or salt bath nitrocar- TUFFTRIDE treated or hard chrom plated
burized for 90 minutes to obtain a
compound layer 15-20 µm thick. In
the case of the salt bath nitrocar-
burized piston rods, different vari-
ants such as nitrocarburizing plus Fig. 7
oxidative cooling, with and without
lapping, as well as the QPQ treat-
ment were tested. After being
sprayed for 40 hours, the first cor-
rosion spots occurred on the
chrome plated piston rods. After
180 hours the rods showed very
heavy corrosive attack over a large
area. All nitrocarburized piston 

 
   
     

rods, however, were still free from
corrosion after 40 hours and even
after 180 hours the QPQ treated

piston rods showed no signs of

  

rust. 

Fig. 8 shows the corrosion resis- 

tance measured in a DIN 50021 SS 

salt spray test of samples made
from material C45 after each stage

of treatment. Fig. 9 shows the
respective surface roughness of 
    
the samples.

Fig. 8

6
 In the ground condition, corrosion
occurred after only a short time.
After 90 minutes salt bath nitro-
   
 
    carburizing followed by oxidation
     
 in the cooling bath the corrosion
resistance was over 200 hours.
Lapping does not change the
 resistance of the samples. After
Surface roughness Rm in µm


oxidative post treatment in the
cooling bath (25 mins. at 370°C),
 figures of over 400 hours will be
obtained.


The most stringent corrosion test

under DIN 50021 is the CASS
test in which the test solution

    
additionally contains acetic acid
and copper chloride, and the tem-
perature is raised to 50°C. Fig. 10
Fig. 9 shows the results obtained in a
comparison between QPQ treated
piston rods and hard chrome
plated ones with layer thicknesses
of 10-12 µm and 30-35 µm.

The test was performed by the

Material Testing Institute in
Darmstadt, Germany under the
following conditions:

CASS salt spray test in accordance with Spray solution

German Standard DIN 50021 on hard chrom plated and
TUFFTRIDE QPQ treated piston rods made from SAE 1045 5 % NaCl + 0.26 g CuCl2 /l;
pH 3.11-3.3;
125 125 Temperature 50°C
(1 test cycle = 1 hour).
100 100
Corroded area (%)

75 75 After QPQ treatment, the corro-

sion resistance is much better
50 50
than after hard chrome plating.
25 25 After 16 hours the QPQ treated
samples merely showed corrosive
0 0
6 8 16 Test cycles 6 8 16 attack on about 10 % of the
Hard chrome TUFFTRIDE QPQ surface.
10-12 und 30-35 µm
For the total immersion test (DIN
50905/part 4) a solution of 3 %
Fig. 10 common salt and 1 % hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2) is used as the
corrosive medium. Prior to being
dipped into the solution, the
samples are degreased.

7
Fig. 11 shows the results obtained on samples made
from C45 treated by different surface engineering
processes after a total immersion test lasting 2 weeks
and carried out in accordance with the Standard.

In the first horizontal column there

is the treatment and the average )
   1 2& %% 
 3
weight loss per m2 and 24 hours
   $ -% 
 
 " 4
! 

$  5' 
on the QPQ sample.

  
With a weight loss of 0.34 g/m2,
  
 
this sample is much better than     
the galvanic or chemically coated    
ones.
  
   
In the case of 12 µm hard chrome !"  #   $  
and even 45 µm double chrome 
% 
  
plating, the weight loss was
around 7 g/m2 and was thereby &'#   (
 

  
more than 20 times greater than )*# ,  -
that of the nitrocarburized sam- %,  &' %
ples. ,  - 
.!#  / &
-  / 0 .

# -%
In the age hardened condition,
the 20 µm nickel layer showed a Fig. 11
weight loss of 2.9 g/m2. Only the
Triplex layer containing 37 µm
copper, 45 µm nickel and 1.3 µm
chrome is comparable with the
TUFFTRIDE QPQ salt bath treat-
ed sample.

Wear resistance and

running properties
Due to the intermetallic composition of the compound
layer, the friction and the tendency to weld with a metal-
lic counter-partner are reduced. Excellent sliding and
running properties, as well as greater wear resistance,
are the well-known advantages of TUFFTRIDE treated
components.

Wear tests and practical application repeatedly confirm

the superior wear resistance of salt bath nitrocarburized
parts over traditional or induction hardened or hard
chrome plated surfaces. In very many cases, the wear
resistance of the compound layer is improved still further
by an oxidative post treatment. For example, compo-
nents such as transmission shafts, plug gauges and
hydraulic aggregates have a longer service life after
TUFFTRIDE treatment than after hard chrome plating.

8
 The question is often raised as to the wear resistance of
the diffusion layer. Fig. 12 shows a comparison of the
wear behaviour of rocker arms treated by two different
heat treatment processes. It shows the wear on the run-
ning surface of the rocker arm
which run against a salt bath
nitrocarburized camshaft made
from chilled cast iron. Although
Influence of the surface treatment on the wear of a rocker arm
the surface hardness of the case
hardened rocker arm was slightly
0,25 reduced by nitrocarburizing, the
Loss of weight in g of the running surface

Case hardened
much improved wear resistance
Case hardened
0,20 and TUFFTRIDE due to the presence of the com-
treated
pound layer, to approximately 80
0,15 hours running time is clearly visi-
Material:
CrMo alloyed case ble.
0,10 hardening steel
Camshaft: chilled
cast iron, After 70-80 hours, the wear pro-
0,05 TUFFTRIDE treated,
r.p.m. 1000
file then runs parallel to that of the
Load =
76-86 kp/mm2 case hardened only rocker arm,
0 20 40 60 80 100 Oil: SAE 10 W 30 which is attributable to the pro-
Running duration in h (80¡C)
tection given by the diffusion
layer. A spontaneous increase in
wear after the loss of the com-
Fig. 12
pound layer was not observed.

This test again showed very

impressively that a high surface
hardness does not automatically
mean that the protection
against wear is also very high.
It depends on the respective
wear mechanism involved as to
how a material or material part-
nering is to be assessed. Nitro-

 
   
 
   
  carburized running partners



  
  

 have proved themselves to be
very good under adhesive wear
conditions in particular. Their
 
tendency to seize is much
  lower than that of other surface

 
   (

  layers.

 
Fig. 13 shows the results accord-
  ing to Nieman-Rettig of scuffing
  load limit tests on gears. These
data were established by apply-
 

    
     ing torque to the tooth flank
  


 !   


 !
    and increasing it until seizure
occurred. Nitrocarburizing by the
"#$$"%&' 

TUFFTRIDE process raised the
scuffing load limit of the materials
tested by 2-5 times.
Fig. 13

9
Another interesting factor in connection with the wear
resistance and running properties is the friction coeffi-
cient of the outer surface layer. The interfacial reactions
which occur during sliding are not so much determined
by the absolute hardness of the running partner but by
the material partnering, their microstructural composi-
tion, surface geometry and the lubricant used.

To determine the coefficient of

friction, tests were carried out in
our laboratory on the Amsler
machine. Coefficients of friction of Amsler-discs in relation to
cooling medium and lubrication
The tests were carried out with
one disc running at 200 rpm
against another disc which was lubricated with
0,4 SAE 30 oil
fixed. Both parts were treated Not lubricated
Coefficient of friction in µ

equally. To avoid adhesive wear, a 0,3

load of 5-30 N was applied.
Under greater loads the coeffi- 0,2
cient of friction increased with the Amsler-discs
load but in the range of 5-30 N it 0,1 Partner same
treatment
remained constant.
0
30 µm Case 90 min 1075¡F TUFFTRIDE
Fig. 14 gives an overview of the Chrome hardened à SW à AB1 à QPQ
plated
friction coefficient of different pair-
ings under dry running condi-
tions, and after being lubricated Fig. 14
with oil, type SAE 30.

After hard chrome plating, case hardening, and nitrocar-

burizing followed by water cooling or oxidative cooling in
the AB 1 cooling bath, the samples tested had a surface
roughness of around 4 µm. Only the surfaces of the
QPQ treated samples were reduced to a surface rough-
ness of Rm = 1 µm by polishing.

Under dry running conditions, nitrocarburized samples

have a much lower coefficient of friction than case hard-
ened or hard chrome plated ones. Due to the oxidation
of the compound layer, the coefficient of friction of the
nitrocarburized samples increases.

In the lubricated condition, the hydrodynamic load sup-

porting film has to be taken into account. With the
exception of the QPQ treated samples, there is more
solid mass because of the surface roughness so that the
results presumably lie within the mixed friction range.
Under these test conditions, of all variants the QPQ nitro-
carburized samples had the lowest friction coefficient.

10
 The TUFFTRIDE treatment increases the rotating bend-
ing fatigue strength and the rolling fatigue strength of
components. These are mainly influenced by:

• the level of nitrogen in the compound and diffusion

layer,

• the thickness of the diffusion layer and

• the state of solution of the nitrogen on unalloyed

steels.

Furthermore, the state of the microstructure and the

strength are to be taken into consideration. Whereas
with unalloyed steels the increase in fatigue strength is
determined by the rate of cooling, with alloyed mate-
rials, however, it has no mentionable effect. The in-
crease in fatigue strength possible after 1-2 hours
TUFFTRIDE treatment is 100 % on
parts made from unalloyed and
low alloyed steels.

+!  
  
   ,-..,/01 )*)   In this connection we would like to
  #! 
 #  
    


point out that hard chrome plating
reduces the rotating bending


"  fatigue strength of the base mater-
 
 
  
  σ
 

  #
 ial. A similar situation prevails with


α' $  % & $ 
  electro galvanizing. Nitrocarbu-
rizing, however, always increases
(

 )*)
the fatigue strength.


x  
  #! 
Fig. 15 shows the results of a


fatigue strength test conducted
on notched samples made from



material C45N. QPQ treatment



 

 

increased the fatigue strength by
   ! more than 50 %. Hard chrome
plating, however, reduced the
fatigue strength by 20 %.
Fig. 15

11
Practical application
of the TUFFTRIDE QPQ process

A variety of methods were used to test the resistance to

corrosion and wear, and the fatigue strength of compo-
nents treated by the environment-friendly QPQ salt bath
nitrocarburizing process. These demonstrated the
superiority of this process over hard chrome plating,
nickel plating and other nitrocarburizing processes.

Fig. 16 shows quick-fit connec-

tions for joining hoses for liquid
and gaseous media which used to
be manufactured from corrosion-
resistant steels. By using the QPQ
salt bath nitrocarburizing process it
was possible to change from the
expensive base material to an
unalloyed case hardening steel. In
the QPQ treated condition the
required corrosion and wear resis-
tance is achieved without any
problems.

Fig. 17 shows a section of a crank-

shaft made from material 42CrMo4
for high performance two-stroke
engines. The QP treatment gave
the parts the required resistance to
wear and fatigue, and good run- Fig. 16
ning properties.

The components were polished

automatically in an overhead rail
shot blast machine with metal
shot. Tests with gas or plasma
nitrocarburized parts did not pro-
duce the desired results.

Fig. 17

12
 Fig. 18 shows gas springs and QPQ treated piston
rods. These parts are mainly built into tailgate flaps
and engine bonnets of cars, as well as into the bag-
gage flaps and cabin doors of aeroplanes.

It is reported that, compared with the hard chrome

plating previously carried out, the corrosion and wear
resistance is considerably improved. Furthermore, the
cost of treating these parts was reduced by about
one third.

Fig. 19 shows small parts such as fastenings for suit-

cases and hairdryer grilles. These parts are treated in
bulk and in very large quantities by the QPQ process.
A nitrocarburizing duration of 60 minutes plus oxida-
tive cooling, vibratory polishing and oxidative post
treatment are enough to obtain the required corrosion
and wear resistance.
Fig. 18
Representing the greatly diversified applications of the
QPQ process are the typical components in Fig 20,
which are nowadays treated in large quantities by the
combined salt bath nitrocarburizing process. Most of
the parts involved, for example windscreen-wiper
shafts, v-belt tighteners and valves, are used in the
automotive industry.

The QPQ process is also used for components in the

aircraft industry, in off-shore technology, in the con-
struction of plant and machinery, in energy technology,
in the food industry as well as in the manufacture of
textile machines, hydraulic aggregates and optical
equipment.

Fig. 19

Fig. 20
13
TUFFTRIDE® plants and
their economics

When choosing manufacturing processes,

economics, quality and environment-friendli-
ness are the most important criteria.
Furthermore, the fact that they should be easy
to carry out is of considerable importance.
Compared with other nitrocarburizing
processes, the TUFFTRIDE process is very
easy to carry out. The treatment can be done
in manually operated and fully automated
plants.

Modern, computer-controlled plants are very

versatile. Not only can they be adapted to
meet fluctuating production but also permit
different programs to run simultaneously.

The automated salt bath plant shown in Fig. 21

is ideally suited for the TUFFTRIDE treatment
of mass produced parts in a production line
and for commercial heat treating which, due
to the different needs of the various cus-
tomers, requires a heat treating plant to be
highly adaptable.

Fig. 22 shows a schematic diagram of a

TUFFTRIDE plant which, in accordance with
modern technology, is operated effluent-free
and which is equipped with an efficient extrac-
tor system and exhaust air cleaning plant.
With this plant technology the environmental
and work place regulations can be complied
with in all industrial countries with no difficulty. Fig. 21



 
 





 

 





 
  



!"

  

  # $
!  %# $ #% $





Fig. 22

14
 A comparison of the economics of
this process with other surface
engineering processes also shows

  #  
 $ %&&'( !"! some favourable aspects. Cost
comparisons made by various
users showed that major savings

can be made. As an example,

  
 please see the cost comparison in

    

!"! Fig. 23.



 Low investment and energy costs

also had a very beneficial effect on

the economics of the process. A

 saving of 37 % was possible with
the QPQ process over hard
chrome plating.
  
  






Fig. 23

Summary
In addition to the improvements in the properties such as
wear protection, fatigue strength and sliding properties,
the TUFFTRIDE treatment plus oxidative cooling and/or
post treatment produces a major increase in the corro-
sion resistance. Results of tests and practical applica-
tions show that the quality of the treated components is
often superior to that of electro galvanic layers and other
nitrocarburizing processes. This opens a broad field of
application for the TUFFTRIDE process, which can often
be accompanied by expensive materials being replaced
by lower-cost ones.

Due to the characteristics of the process, such as very

good repeatability of high quality results, easy use and
high flexibility it is being used to an ever-increasing extent
in the metal processing industry all over the world. The
process is very easy to carry out and does not require
complicated plant technology. The parts can be treated
in manually operated and computer-controlled plants.
The plant itself operates effluent-free. The process is
characterized by its extremely good environment-com-
patibility. Therefore environmental regulations can easily
be complied with.

The TUFFTRIDE QPQ process is known in English-

speaking and Asian countries under that name, in
Europe and German-speaking countries as TENIFER
QPQ and in the USA as MELONITE QPQ. TUFFTRIDE®,
TENIFER® and MELONITE® are registered trademarks of
Durferrit GmbH.

15
NOTES:
Details we provide on our products and appliances as well as our plants and
process methods are based on comprehensive research work and operational
experience. We provide such data either verbally or in writing to the best of our
knowledge and belief on the understanding that they do not present any
warranty concerning the existence of specific characteristics in our products,
but reserve the right to make technical modifications in the cours of product
development.

This does not, however, relieve the user of his responsibility to check our data
and recommendations for his own application before using them. This also
applies - particularly for shipment abroad - with regard to the maintenace of
protection rights of third parties and to applications and process methods not
expressly declared by ourselves in writing. In the event of loss our liability is limited
to replace goods and services on the same scale as is stipulated for quality
defects in our General Conditions of Scale and Delivery.
 11/03 1000 Gr

Durferrit GmbH
Industriestrasse 3
D-68169 Mannheim
Phone + 49 (0) 621 / 3 22 24-0
Fax + 49 (0) 621 / 3 22 24-809
www.durferrit.com E-Mail: [email protected]