The Low-temperature Ion Sulfurizing Technology and its Applications

A solid lubrication film mainly consists of FeS, which has excellent tribology properties, can be formed on the sulfurized iron or steel surface. The sulfurizing technology has aroused intense attention from the day it appeared. However, the widespread industrial application of sulfurizing technology was promoted by the low-temperature ion sulfurizing (LTIS) process. This paper summarized the phylogeny and sorts of sulfurizing technology firstly; then, the process flow of LTIS technology, the forming mechanism, microstructure and tribological properties of ion sulfurized layer were introduced detailedly; and then, the technological, economic and environmental merits of LTIS technology were generalized; finally, the industrial applications of LTIS technology in various typical rolling, sliding and heavy duty parts were reviewed briefly. LTIS technology, with the advantages of high sulfurizing speed, good performance of sulfurized layer and without sideeffect, has played an important role in the tribology modification of ferrous parts, and the LTIS process will become more green, simple and efficient in the future.