Microstructure and corrosion behaviour of pulsed plasma-nitrided AISI H13 tool steel (original) (raw)

The effect of pulsed plasma nitriding temperature and time on the pitting corrosion behaviour of AISI H13 tool steel in 0.9% NaCl solutions was investigated by cyclic polarization. The pitting potential (E pit ) was found to be dependent on the composition, microstructure and morphology of the surface layers, whose properties were determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The best corrosion protection was observed for samples nitrided at 480°C and 520°C. Under such experimental conditions the E pit -values shifted up to 1.25 V in the positive direction.