Surface modification of magnesium base alloys by gas/plasma nitridation

Gas and plasma nitriding processes were executed in the magnesium with modification by titanium in search for an effective surface treatment method for magnesium alloys. Magnesium - nitrogen system has completely no solid solution or solubility, so that nitride should be only formed by eutectic reaction in the liquid phase. Hence, magnesium is difficult or nearly impossible to have its surface modified by nitriding. Addition of nitride forming element into magnesium enables us to lower the onset temperature of nitriding. Magnesium-titanium alloys with 1 to 5 wt% are yielded by the bulk mechanical alloying, and, subjected to gas nitriding for various process conditions. Successful co-formation of Mg₃N₂ as well as TiN becomes a proof to demonstrate the possibility of gas/plasma nitriding in the solid-state magnesium with aid of nitride former.