ANALYSIS OF DEUTERIUM INDUCED NUCLEAR-REACTIONS GIVING CRITERIA FOR THE FORMATION PROCESS OF EXPANDED AUSTENITE

High current ion nitriding of austenitic stainless steel at temperatur es of about 400 degrees C leads to the formation of a surface layer, c alled expanded austenite. The formation of this layer is not well unde rstood. Deuterium induced nuclear reaction analyses have been performe d on austenitic stainless steel samples that were subsequently high cu rrent ion nitrided with low energy ion implantation of N-15 and N-14. The obtained depth profiles yield criteria for the formation process o f the expanded austenite. A trapping mechanism cannot be confirmed. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.