Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:58:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LinoAF_DISSERT.pdf: 8452397 bytes, checksum: f4854ebf6942546ff7bf8e8e0a4689c4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-09 / The technique of ion nitriding, despite being fully consolidated in the industry, has great limitations when applied to the treatment of small parts. This is because effects that occur due to non-uniformity of the electric field, generate localized heating in parts, damaging the uniformity of nitrided layer. In addition, because the samples are treated static parts thereof are untreated. To expand the use of plasma nitriding, this work presents the development, assembly and testing of a prototype plasma reactor with rotatory cathodic cage [patent pending], able to meet these needs, giving the material a uniform treatment and opening doors to industrial scale production. The samples tested with hexagonal nuts are 6.0 mm in diameter, made of stainless steel AISI 304 nitrided at a pressure of 1 mbar in an atmosphere of 20% H2 + 80% N2 for 1 h. After treatment, testing visual inspection, optical microscopy and microhardness were carried out to check the effectiveness of the process for uniformity and hardness of the parts. All samples exhibited uniform color, and matte brownish, unlike the untreated samples, silver color and gloss. The hardness of the surface (top and sides) was 65% and even higher than the original hardness. The nitrided layer showed great uniformity in microstructure and thickness. It is concluded, therefore, that the unit was effective constructed for the purposes for which it was designed / A t?cnica de nitreta??o i?nica, apesar de estar plenamente consolidada na ind?stria, possui grande limita??o quando aplicada ao tratamento de pe?as pequenas. Isso acontece porque efeitos que ocorrem devido a n?o uniformidade do campo el?trico, geram aquecimentos localizados nas pe?as, prejudicando a uniformidade da camada nitretada. Al?m disso, pelo fato das amostras serem tratadas de maneira est?tica, partes das mesmas ficam sem tratamento. Para ampliar o uso da nitreta??o a plasma, este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento, montagem e teste de um prot?tipo de reator de plasma com gaiola cat?dica rotat?ria [patente requerida], capaz de atender a essas necessidades, conferindo ao material um tratamento uniforme e abrindo portas ? produ??o em escala industrial. As amostras submetidas ao teste s?o porcas sextavadas de 6,0 mm de di?metro, fabricadas em a?o inoxid?vel AISI 304, nitretadas numa press?o de 1 mbar em atmosfera de 20%H2 + 80%N2, durante 1 h. Ap?s o tratamento, ensaios de inspe??es visuais, microscopia ?tica e microdureza foram realizadas a fim de conferir a efic?cia do processo quanto ? uniformidade e dureza das pe?as. Todas as amostras apresentaram cor uniforme, amarronzada e fosca, ao contr?rio das amostras sem tratamento, de cor prata e brilhosas. A dureza da superf?cie (topo e lateral) mostrou-se uniforme e 65% superior ? dureza original, considerado o tempo de tratamento. A camada nitretada apresentou grande uniformidade na microestrutura e espessura. Conclui-se, portanto, que o equipamento constru?do mostrou efic?cia para os fins a que foi designado