Surface modification of 316L stainless steel with plasma nitriding (original) (raw)
Plasma nitriding treatment of 316L austenitic stainless steel has been performed in 80%H2-20%N2 gas mixture, for various treatment times (1, 4 and 8 h) and at relatively low temperatures (400, 450 and 500 • C). Mechanical and tribological properties of the plasma nitrided 316L stainless steel were examined using X-ray diffraction, microhardness tester, scanning electron microscopy and pin-on-disc tribotester. The results show that the modified surface specimens of nitrided 316L stainless steel at 400 • C consist mainly of s-phase and small chromium nitride precipitates. At higher temperatures both CrN and iron (γ-Fe4N) nitrides have been observed and their amount increases with increasing treatment temperature. The highest hardness values were attained at 500 • C and 8 h, an increase of surface hardness was observed with increasing process time. Also wear resistance was improved after nitriding. The wear rate decreased with increasing process time and temperature. After electrochemi...
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