Corrosion process in NaCl/Na2SO4 solutions of AISI 316L stainless steel treated by ionic nitriding

This work is a corrosion study of an AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel after different plasma ion nitriding conditions. The properties of the coated AISI 316L were measured. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and salt spray testing. Sample surfaces were characterised by SEM and the phase determination with XRD analysis. Nanohardness was determined by using a Vickers indenter. The nitrided samples treated at 400°C, in a gaseous mixture of 5%N2 and 95%H2 for 4 and 5 h, had the best corrosion resistance. For the salt spray test, where the potential range is near the equilibrium potential, the nitrided material presented a reduced corrosion resistance. Through the control of the process parameters it is possible to improve the stainless steel surface hardness, combined with a good corrosion resistance. The highest value of temperature and N2 proportion increased the surface roughness and hardness, though it caused a decrease in corrosion resistance.