Abstract: The tendency of spalling of the nitrided layer of the hot rolled austenitic steel 4Cr14Ni14W2Mo exhibits close relation to the nitrided surface orientation relative to the rol- led steel rod.It is found that the dislocations in the imperfectly recrystalized steel align as parallel dislocation walls in macroscopic extent,and the thickness of the“white sublayer”in the nitrided layer is much larger at the surface which is parallel to the dislocation walls.On such surface the spalling of the nitrided layer happens often.

Key words: nitriding, spalling, heat resistant steel