Increasing the value of castings by applying surface engineering processes and knowledge based engineering

The paper presents the concept of application of surface engineering on castings and permanent metal molds. The procedures for modifying and coating the surface of castings and permanent metal molds have been mentioned and the effects of their application on increasing durability and lowering production costs. The importance of the application of knowledge based engineering and materials selection in the design of castings and molds for application of surface engineering processes has been described. For a practical example, a duplex process with plasma nitriding and PACVD coating has been applied to extend the exploitation life of the die-cast mold.