Short answer: Nitriding hardens at lower temperature with almost no distortion and a thin, wear-resistant case, while carburizing runs hot, needs quenching and gives a deeper case; pick nitriding for precision parts and carburizing for heavy-load gears and shafts.
At a Glance
What Each Process Does
Both add a hard surface over a tough core, detailed in our Heat Treatment Guide; nitriding diffuses nitrogen, carburizing diffuses carbon then quenches, with surface science in our Surface Treatment Guide.
Distortion and Dimensional Control
Nitriding stays below the transformation temperature, so precision parts keep their size, whereas carburizing quenches and can move; the hardness basis is in our Hardness Comparison and the strength link in our Comparaison des forces.
Alloy and Case Selection
Nitriding favors nitriding steels and titanium, carburizing favors low-carbon and alloy steel; grade choice is in our Tool Steel Types Guide et Spring Steel Types Guide, machinability in our Machining Guide.
Choosing and Verifying
Pick by load, precision and volume, then confirm case depth and hardness with our Quality Inspection Guide and finish per our Finishing and Coating Guide.
Get a Quote
Tell HXSCO your requirements and we will respond with a competitive quote and lead time.
Questions fréquemment posées
Nitriding, because it works below the steel transformation temperature.
Carburizing, typically 0.5 to 2 mm versus nitriding under 0.6 mm.
Only carburizing; nitriding needs no quench.
Dedicated nitriding steels and titanium-rich grades respond best.
Carburizing for heavy-load gears, nitriding for finished, distortion-sensitive parts.
Choose Case-Hardening with HXSCO
HXSCO supplies nitriding and carburizing-ready steels and verifies case depth and hardness for your process. Send your grade and requirement for a quote.