The Influence of Chemical Composition of Stainless Steel on the Formation of Low Temperature Nitrided Layer

Abstract

This paper presents results of investigations on gas nitride layers of stainless steel. Steel with ferritic structure, containing different chromium and nickel content was used in the experiments in order to compare the influence of these two main alloying elements on layer growth kinetics and layer structure. Particular attention was paid to formation of Sphase and expanded martensite which usually are formed during lowtemperature nitriding of stainless steel. It was observed, that chromium and nickel content does not have a significant influence on layer growth kinetics but the treatment temperature does. It was also stated that Sphase formation is possible both in nickel alloyed and nickelfree steel depending on treatment parameters.