Tribological behavior of AISI302 austenitic stainless steel modified by elevated temperature nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation

AISI302 stainless steel samples were modified by elevated temperature nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation at temperature ranging from 330 degreesC to 450 degreesC. The tribological behaviors of the implanted layers of the samples were investigated. The samples were characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GXRD), and nanoindentation. The results show that the implantation temperature plays an important rule on the microstructure and surface properties of the implanted layers. The thickness of the modified layer implanted at 390 degreesC is about 9 mum. It is improved about two orders compared with that of the implanted at room temperature. The surface nanohardness and the wear resistance of elevated temperature implanted layers increase significantly, and the friction coefficient decreases obviously in comparison with the unimplanted one. These data suggests that the improvement results from the formation of new phases such as epsilon-(Fe, Cr, Ni)(2+x)N, or noncrystal phase.