Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences logo Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences logo Glow Discharge Plasma Nitriding of AISI 304 Stainless Steel

Abstract

Glow discharge plasma nitriding of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel has been carried out for different processing time under optimum discharge conditions established by spectroscopic analysis. The treated samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to explore the changes induced in the crystallographic structure. The XRD pattern confirmed the formation of an expanded austenite phase (γN) owing to incorporation of nitrogen as an interstitial solid solution in the iron lattice. A Vickers microhardness tester was used to evaluate the surface hardness as a function of indentation depth (μm). The results showed clear evidence of surface changes with substantial increase in surface hardness.