C. Blawert et al., Phase and microstructural study of surface layers produced by plasma immersion ion implantation of stainless steel X6CrNiTi1810, SURF ENG, 15(6), 1999, pp. 469-475
A complex study of austenitic stainless steel X6CrNiTi1810 modified by, nit
rogen plasma immersion ion implantation (PI3) at 300 and 400 degrees C is p
resented. To obtain detailed information on the structure and phase composi
tions, conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy: XRD, TEM and Rutherford
backscattering spectroscopy ale applied. Depending on the treatment tempera
ture a mixture of several phases is observed by Mossbauer phase analysis an
d confirmed by TEM. The dominant component in specimens treated at 300 degr
ees C is a paramagnetic oversaturated austenitic phase. A higher implantati
on temperature (400 degrees C) evokes more pronounced diffusion of nitrogen
into the specimen volume?, causing a decrease of nitrogen concentration bu
t an increase of stress in the surface layer. This influences the defect de
nsity, and results in a change of the expanded austenitic phase. Nitride fo
rmation is also different depending on the temperature. Furthermore,lore, a
texturing of the grains is observed after the PI3 treatment at both temper
atures. (C) 1999 IoM Communications Ltd.