Influence of nitrided and carbonitrided interlayers on enhanced nucleationof diamond on stainless steel 304

As previously reported by various investigators, interlayers may be a succe ssful solution for the problem of depositing diamond on steel substrates. T he properties of the interlayers have been found to have a strong effect on the initial stages of CVD diamond formation. In this paper, the effect of different nitrided steel phases has been investigated for enhancing nucleat ion on stainless steel 304 substrates. Carburization of the nitrided substr ate surface during the initial stages of diamond deposition leads to the fo rmation of chromium carbide and the resulting microstructure of the interfa ce between substrate and diamond film is probably responsible for enhanced adhesion of the diamond film. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.