Creating the perfect surface for nitriding aluminium extrusion dies
Dies must withstand temperatures in excess of 375 degrees Celsius and pressures of well over 100,000 psi (by way of comparison a power washer runs at 2,500 psi).
To help dies withstand these extreme conditions they go through a nitriding process after inspection and correction.
The process diffuses nitrogen into the surface of the metal to create a case-hardened surface that in turn, prolongs the life of the dies whilst reducing downtime and die corrections.
Wet blasting (or vapor blasting to give it its other name) creates a highly clean and reactive surface that is perfect for nitriding. It’s particularly good at removing all caustic trace from micro cracks and highly complex profiles to ensure every millimetre of the dies’ bearing surface benefits from nitriding.
