The present, invention includes: an in-furnace atmospheric gas concentration detector configured to detect a hydrogen concentration or an ammonia concentration in a processing furnace; an in-furnace nitriding potential calculator configured to calculate a nitriding potential in the processing furnace based on the hydrogen concentration or the ammonia concentration detected by the in-furnace atmospheric gas concentration detector; and a gas-introduction-amount controller configured to change an introduction amount of each of the plurality of furnace introduction gases except for the ammonia decomposition gas while keeping an introduction amount of the ammonia decomposition gas constant. based on the calculated nitriding potential in the processing furnace and a target nitriding potential, such that the nitriding potential in the processing furnace is brought close to the target nitriding potential.

Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a magnetic stack arrangement of a laminated magnetic inductor having a high frequency peak quality factor (Q). A first magnetic stack is formed having one or more magnetic layers alternating with one or more insulating layers in a first inner region of a laminated magnetic inductor. A second magnetic stack is formed opposite a surface of the first magnetic stack in an outer region of the laminated magnetic inductor. A third magnetic stack is formed opposite a surface of the second magnetic stack in a second inner region of the laminated magnetic inductor. The insulating layers are formed such that a thickness of an insulating layer in the second magnetic stack is greater than a thickness of an insulating layer in the first magnetic stack.

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.

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.

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.

Artificial lift pump components such as couplings are disclosed, all having a body formed from a selected material, the body having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a first surface treatment introducing carbon, nitrogen, boron into the material to form a first and hard layer, and a second layer defined as an deposited coating to the first layer that is also made of a carbon, nitrogen, or boron and is further characterized as being ceramic like (hard) and having a low-friction.

Artificial lift pump components such as couplings are disclosed, all having a body formed from a selected material, the body having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a first surface treatment introducing carbon, nitrogen, boron into the material to form a first and hard layer, and a second layer defined as an deposited coating to the first layer that is also made of a carbon, nitrogen, or boron and is further characterized as being ceramic like (hard) and having a low-friction.

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 a non-polymeric N/C/H compound.

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 a non-polymeric N/C/H compound.

A crankshaft with improved seizure resistance is provided. A crankshaft having journals 11 and pins 12 includes a compound layer containing iron and nitrogen on its surface, wherein, in the compound layer, for both the journals 11 and pins 12, the porosity area ratio of the thinner one of a region from the surface to a depth of 3.0 μm and a region across the total thickness of the compound layer is not higher than 10.0%, and both the journals 11 and pins 12 have such a surface geometry that the arithmetical mean deviation of the primary profile, Pa, is not larger than 0.090 μm.