Nitriding of 304 steel by a nitrogen plasma: Increasing corrosion resistance

Exposure of a 304 stainless steel sample to an inductively coupled low pres sure radio frequency (RF) nitrogen plasma leads to the formation of a nitri ding layer. The protective properties of this layer are investigated by ele ctrochemical methods. The corrosion potential of the steel in an aqueous so lution depends on the working parameters of the plasma such as the time exp osure and the distance between the steel sample and the high voltage (HV) c oil of the treatment reactor.