A hybrid method of surface hardening metallic components using a combination of chemical modification achieved through additive manufacturing and/or diffusion-based processing with transformation-based processing using a high energy density heat source. The hybrid process results in increased surface hardness and/or increased average case hardness and/or increased case depth compared to either treatment individually.

A method of processing a substrate includes: (a) preparing a substrate having a nitrogen-containing film and an oxygen-containing film on a surface of the substrate; and (b) modifying a surface of the nitrogen-containing film to be nitrided by supplying an active species containing nitrogen and an active species containing hydrogen, or selectively forming hydroxyl group termination on a surface of the oxygen-containing film by supplying at least one selected from the group of an active species containing hydrogen, an active species containing hydrogen and oxygen, and an active species containing hydrogen and nitrogen.

A method of processing a substrate includes: (a) preparing a substrate having a nitrogen-containing film and an oxygen-containing film on a surface of the substrate; and (b) modifying a surface of the nitrogen-containing film to be nitrided by supplying an active species containing nitrogen and an active species containing hydrogen, or selectively forming hydroxyl group termination on a surface of the oxygen-containing film by supplying at least one selected from the group of an active species containing hydrogen, an active species containing hydrogen and oxygen, and an active species containing hydrogen and nitrogen.

A packaging sheet metal product from a cold-rolled steel sheet with a thickness of less than 0.6 mm has a specified composition. The packaging sheet metal product during biaxial deformation in a bulge test has a lower yield strength (Sb.sub.eL) of more than 300 MPa and a corresponding elongation at break (Ab) of more than 10% and in the plastic region between the Lüders elongation (Ab.sub.e) and an upper (plastic) elongation limit of ε.sub.max=0.5.Math.Ab.Math.(Sb.sub.eL/Sb.sub.m) has a biaxial stress/strain diagram σ.sub.B(ε) that can be represented by a function ε.sub.B=b.Math.ε.sup.n, with: σ.sub.B is the true biaxial stress in MPa; ε is the amount of true elongation in the thickness direction in %; Sb.sub.m is the absolute strength; b is a proportionality factor; and n is a strain-hardening exponent. A strengthening of the packaging sheet product in the thickness direction is characterized by a strain-hardening exponent of n≥0.353-5.1.Math.Sb.sub.eL/10.sup.4 MPa.

A dual phase magnetic component, along with methods of its formation, is provided. The dual phase magnetic component may include an intermixed first region and second region formed from a single material, with the first region having a magnetic area and a diffused metal therein, and with the second region having a non-magnetic area. The second region generally has greater than 0.1 weight % of nitrogen.

A dual phase magnetic component, along with methods of its formation, is provided. The dual phase magnetic component may include an intermixed first region and second region formed from a single material, with the first region having a magnetic area and a diffused metal therein, and with the second region having a non-magnetic area. The second region generally has greater than 0.1 weight % of nitrogen.

A workpiece made from a self passivating metal and having one or more surface regions defining a Beilby layer as a result of a previous metal shaping operation is activated for subsequent low temperature gas hardening by exposing the workpiece to the vapors produced by heating an oxygen-free nitrogen halide salt.

In an embodiment, a method for nitriding a substrate is provided. The method includes flowing a nitrogen-containing source and a carrier gas into a plasma processing source coupled to a chamber such that a flow rate of the nitrogen-containing source is from about 3% to 20% of a flow rate of the carrier gas; generating an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) in the plasma processing source by operating an ICP source, the ICP comprising a radical species formed from the nitrogen-containing source, the carrier gas, or both; and nitriding the substrate within the chamber, wherein nitriding includes operating a heat source within the chamber at a temperature from about 150° C. to about 650° C. to heat the substrate; maintaining a pressure of the chamber from about 50 mTorr to about 2 Torr; introducing the ICP to the chamber; and adjusting a characteristic of the substrate by exposing the substrate to the radical species.

In an embodiment, a method for nitriding a substrate is provided. The method includes flowing a nitrogen-containing source and a carrier gas into a plasma processing source coupled to a chamber such that a flow rate of the nitrogen-containing source is from about 3% to 20% of a flow rate of the carrier gas; generating an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) in the plasma processing source by operating an ICP source, the ICP comprising a radical species formed from the nitrogen-containing source, the carrier gas, or both; and nitriding the substrate within the chamber, wherein nitriding includes operating a heat source within the chamber at a temperature from about 150° C. to about 650° C. to heat the substrate; maintaining a pressure of the chamber from about 50 mTorr to about 2 Torr; introducing the ICP to the chamber; and adjusting a characteristic of the substrate by exposing the substrate to the radical species.

A medical instrument with excellent operability is provided. The medical instrument includes stick-shaped extra-narrow metal members. The extra-narrow member has a hardened layer formed on the surface thereof without losing flexibility.