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DLC is a coating. It's applied to the surface and doesn't change the structure of the steel it's placed onto. Diamond-like carbon-- really hard, really slick coating.
Nitride is a heat treat. Ferritic nitrocarburization. The steel is heated up and exposed to a nitrogen rich environment (salt bath is a common method). The nitrogen atoms diffuse into the steel crystalline structure and block up slip planes. End result is usually a .005-.010" thick super-hard "case" on the steel. What you have to watch out for, however, is that the temperature necessary to get the nitrogen to diffuse into the steel normalizes the inner material, making it potentially much softer/weaker than when it started... Too many different types of steels to cover them all. Some flavors of steel/stainless are not the greatest candidates for nitride. Usually best to let the manufacturer do it before they sell it to you.
What about DLC over a Nitride?
Please stop giving advice about things you don't understand. Just stop. People who know even less than you do are going to assume you know what you're saying while those of us who know better just roll our eyes. The processes you're lumping together are fundamentally different from each other and no, I don't have the time or inclination to teach you why you're wrong.With nitride it depends on what type of nitriding process you are referring to there are several different out there with different properties; they can use different metals, i.e. chromium nitride, titanium nitride, ... some are achieved by salt bath nitriding, some by gas.
That much is obviousI'm no metallurgical expert
Nitriding should never be done aftermarket unless you know the exact steel grade and are a metallurgical engineer of some kind.
As far as I'm concerned any firearm part that is heat treated by anyone after it leaves the factory/OEM producer is worthless and I won't touch it with a ten foot pole nor pay one cent for it.
But what do I know?
Nitriding in particular can fuck you over for thin parts due to warping and possible stretching from the compressive stress. Good fun.
Whty don't you enlighten the OP then, I'll gladly stop and desist to be silent and listen to the metallurgy guru and his vast experience. Spread a little of that knowledge that you insist you possess, it will be to all our benefit. Just claiming that you have no intention to do so doesn't show a lot of it. I for one would be very interested to learn, especially if I'm so wrong. This is actually not meant in a sarcastic way. All that aside fact remains DLC has performed better for me in any of the moving parts of my rifles.Please stop giving advice about things you don't understand. Just stop. People who know even less than you do are going to assume you know what you're saying while those of us who know better just roll our eyes. The processes you're lumping together are fundamentally different from each other and no, I don't have the time or inclination to teach you why you're wrong.
Please stop. There's already a shitload of misinformation out there and you adding to it isn't helping.
That much is obvious
Does anyone know anything about DLC coating a part that is hard chrome or nickel boron plated?
I really need to get my hands on a DLC coated action to see if there is any discernable difference.