Surface Hardening of Steels: Understanding the Basics is a practical selection guide to help engineers and technicians choose the most efficient surface hardening techniques that offer consistent and repeatable results. Emphasis is placed on characteristics such as processing temperature, case/coating thickness, bond strength, and hardness level obtained. The advantages and limitations of the various thermochemical, thermal, and coating/surface modification technologies are compared. Economic concerns and health and safety considerations are also addressed. Recent developments in the understanding of the relationships between microstructure and fatigue and wear performance are reviewed, as are more recently introduced surface hardening processes such as vacuum-related technologies, laser processing, CVD/PVD, and ion implantation. Methods for evaluating hardness patterns and depths of hardness for quality control and failure analysis are described. The book also reviews methods for measuring and controlling case depth, residual stresses, and distortion. Metallurgical comparisons are made between those processes that offer rapid heating and rapid cooling (self quenching) characteristics for example, induction hardening and conventional furnace hardening. While all of the surface engineering methods discussed enhance wear resistance, some such as electroless nickel plating, carbide salt-bath deposition, and chrome platingualso offer resistance to corrosion and oxidation. Wear and corrosion data are provided to demonstrate the benefits of each process. Contents: Process Selection Guide Gas Carburizing Vacuum and Plasma Carburizing Pack and Liquid Carburizing Carbonitriding Nitriding Nitrocarburizing Boriding (Boronizing) Thermal Diffusion (TD) Process Surface Hardening by Applied Energy Surface Hardening by Coating or Surface Modification Appendices: The Iron-Carbon Phase Diagram, Hardness Conversion Tables, Austenitizing Temperatures for Steels Index.