Without extensive and expensive fabrication of the shape, 1026 is the best we can readily obtain. We did find that a major heat treatment company says that case hardening can get the surface region to RC40, and the core to about 30. This will be adequate.
It has been common practice over the years in the Ag equipment industry to carbonitride parts made from 1026 stampings. You obtain wear resistance and some degree of through hardening.
Your nitrided numbers don't match my data as the case should be higher (Rc 62) with a softer core (Rb 85), but if their numbers are satisfactory for your application, well and good.
