Microstructure and properties of ion nitriding/PVD composite modified layer on 316L stainless steel

doi:10.13251/j.issn.0254-6051.2025.01.046

Abstract

Abstract: To improve the surface hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of stainless steel, the effects of single ion nitriding and ion nitriding/physical vapor deposition (PVD) composite treatments on the microstructure, hardness and tribological and corrosion properties of 316L austenitic stainless steel were studied. The results show that the specimen treated by single ion nitriding forms a high-nitrogen hardened layer with a thickness of about 20 μm and hardness of about 802 HV0.05. The specimen treated by nitriding/PVD composite treatment forms a modified layer with a thickness of about 25 μm and nanohardness of about 29 GPa. Both processes form the γ_N phase, and the amorphous film formed on the surface of the nitriding/PVD composite treated specimen does not affect the phase of the intermediate layer. Compared to that of the substrate steel, the friction coefficients of the single nitrided specimen decrease to 0.520 and 0.311 under dry friction and corrosive friction conditions, respectively, while that of the nitriding/PVD composite treated specimen decrease to 0.074 and 0.119, respectively. The self-corrosion current density of the single nitrided and the nitriding/PVD composite treated specimens decrease from 4.602×10^-8 A/cm² to 4.084×10^-8 A/cm² and 3.318×10^-8 A/cm², respectively, and the self-corrosion potentials increase from -0.213 V to -0.195 V and -0.182 V, respectively. Comprehensively, the composite treatment can significantly improve the surface hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of the 316L austenitic stainless steel.

Key words: 316L stainless steel, ion nitriding, physical vapor deposition (PVD), microstructure, hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance

CLC Number:

TG156.8

Cao Chi, Zhang Xiang, Chen Zhilin, Chen Dongsheng, Zhang Zhuo. Microstructure and properties of ion nitriding/PVD composite modified layer on 316L stainless steel[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(1): 299-307.

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