Simulation of microhardness profiles for nitrocarburized surface layers by artificial neural network

A model for prediction of the microhardness profiles for nitrocarburized steels was designed. The model is based on a feed-forward artificial neural network. The performance of the model was checked, using data from the published literature as well as authors experiments. Good correspondence between predicted from the artificial neural network (ANN) and experimental data was observed. The influences of the nitrocarburizing parameters and steel composition on the microhardness profile were studied. Using the model the microhardness profiles for some steels after different conditions of nitrocarburizing were predicted. A graphical user interface was created for the use of the model.