Surface hardness improvement of plasma-sprayed AISI 316L stainless steel coating by low-temperature plasma carburizing

Low-temperature carburizing below 773 K of austenite stainless steel can produce expanded austenite, known as S-phase, where surface hardness is improved while corrosion resistance is retained. Plasma-sprayed austenitic AISI 316L stainless steel coatings were carburized at low temperatures to enhance wear resistance. Because the sprayed AISI 316L coatings include oxide layers synthesized in the air during the plasma spraying process, the oxide layers may restrict carbon diffusion. We found that the carbon content of the sprayed AISI 316L coatings by low-temperature carburizing was less than that of the AISI 316L steel plates; however, there was little difference in the thickness of the carburized layers. The Vickers hardness of the carburized AISI 316L spray coating was above 1000 HV and the amount of specific wear by dry sliding wear was improved by two orders of magnitude. We conclude that low-temperature plasma carburizing enabling the sprayed coatings to enhance the wear resistance to the level of carburized AISI 316L stainless steel plates. As for corrosion resistance in a 3.5 mass% NaCl solution, the carburized AISI 316L spray coating was slightly inferior to the as-sprayed AISI 316L coating.     

Advances in DLC coatings by hybrid PSII and PECVD as a barrier to corrosion in simulated body fluid*

In this study, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were deposited on biomedical AISI316L stainless steel by hybrid plasma source ion implantation (PSII) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). Potentiodynamic polarization tests and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) have been employed to investigate the corrosion performance of different DLC films in Tyrode's simulated body fluid (pH = 7.4). The corrosion resistance of the DLC films by PECVD deteriorated rapidly after 24 h of immersion, but those made by hybrid PSII and PECVD offered more effective barrier for AISI316L stainless steel during 72 h of immersion. The test results demonstrated that the DLC film by hybrid PSII and PECVD possessed less corrosion current density, greater corrosion resistance, and more positive breakdown potential in simulated body fluid.     

Mechanisms of hardening, wear and corrosion improvement of 316 L stainless steel by low energy high current pulsed electron beam surface treatment

The mechanisms of corrosion and wear improvements by low energy high current pulsed electron beam (LEHCPEB) have been investigated for an AISI 316 L steel. Selective purification followed by epitaxial growth occurred in the top surface melted layer (2-3 μm thick) that was softened by tensile stresses and, to a much lower extent, by lower efficiency of MnS precipitation hardening. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization analyses used to model the corrosion behavior revealed that, while craters initiated at MnS inclusions initially served as pitting sites, the resistance was increased by 3 orders of magnitude after sufficient number of pulses by the formation of a homogeneous covering layer. The wear resistance was effectively improved by sub-surface (over 100 μm) work hardening associated with the combine effect of the quasi-static thermal stress and the thermal stress waves. The overall results demonstrate the potential of the LEHCPEB technique for improving concomitantly the corrosion and wear performances of metallic materials.     

Electrochemical properties of 316L stainless steel with culturing L929 fibroblasts.

Potentiodynamic polarization and impedance tests were carried out on 316L stainless steel with culturing murine fibroblast L929 cells to elucidate the corrosion behaviour of 316L steel with L929 cells and to understand the electrochemical interface between 316L steel and cells, respectively. Potential step test was carried out on 316L steel with type I collagen coating and culturing L929 cells to compare the effects of collagen and L929 cells. The open-circuit potential of 316L steel slightly shifted in a negative manner and passive current density increased with cells, indicating a decrease in the protective ability of passive oxide film. The pitting potential decreased with cells, indicating a decrease in the pitting corrosion resistance. In addition, a decrease in diffusivity at the interface was indicated from the decrease in the cathodic current density and the increase in the diffusion resistance parameter in the impedance test. The anodic peak current in the potential step test decreased with cells and collagen. Consequently, the corrosion resistance of 316L steel decreases with L929 cells. In addition, collagen coating would provide an environment for anodic reaction similar to that with culturing cells.     

Friction and wear behaviors of a gradient nano-grained AISI 316L stainless steel under dry and oil-lubricated conditions

A gradient nano-grained (GNG) surface layer was fabricated on an AISI 316L stainless steel (SS) by using the surface mechanical rolling treatment (SMRT). Reciprocating dry and oil-lubricated sliding tests of the GNG 316L SS in air at room temperature were conducted in comparison with the coarse-grained (CG) counterpart. Worn surface morphologies and subsurface microstructures were investigated for both 316L SS samples. 316L SS with a GNG surface layer shows a significantly improved wear resistance, especially under oil-lubricated condition. The notably wear resistance enhancement of the GNG 316L SS is attributed to the GNG surface layer with high strain accommodation ability and high hardness, which can reduce the wear volume in the running-in stage effectively.     

Influence of temperature and hydrodynamic conditions on the corrosion behavior of AISI 316L stainless steel in pure and polluted H3PO4: Application of the response surface methodology

Phosphoric acid is mainly produced by the wet acid process, where corrosion problems could be intensified due to the presence of impurities in the phosphate ores. Operating temperatures and flowing conditions aggravate the aforementioned problems. This work studies the influence of temperature (25–60 °C) and hydrodynamic conditions (Reynolds numbers from 1456 to 5066) on the corrosion of AISI 316L stainless steel in pure and polluted phosphoric acid solutions, by means of cyclic potentiodynamic polarization curves in a hydrodynamic circuit. The effect of temperature is the same as that caused by impurities, that is, higher corrosion rates and hindered passivation and repassivation resistance of the alloy. Statistical analysis by means of surface response methodology proved that the effect of temperature on the corrosion parameters of AISI 316L is more influential than the Reynolds number effect. The Reynolds number seems to have no significant influence on the corrosion behavior of stainless steel. Furthermore, the influence of temperature on the corrosion rate is much higher than on the rest of the corrosion parameters analyzed, especially in polluted phosphoric acid solutions. AISI 316L stainless steel has a clear interest for the phosphoric acid industry as a component material of some equipment due to its good corrosion properties at the different temperatures and Reynolds numbers studied even in polluted media.     

Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Dissimilar Weld-Joints between Duplex Stainless Steel 2205 and Austenitic Stainless Steel 316L

The microstructure and corrosion resistance of dissimilar weld-joints between stainless steel SAF 2205 and stainless steel AISI 316 L were investigated. Welding was accomplished by different types of welding wires AWS ER 347, AWS ER 316 L and AWS ER 309 L. To verify soundness of welded samples, nondestructive tests were performed. Metallographic samples were prepared from cross-section areas of weldjoints to investigate microstructure of different regions of weld-joints by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Corrosion resistance of weld-joints was evaluated in NaCl solution by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance techniques. In the weld metal AWS ER 347, the brittle sigma phase was created, resulting in the decrease of weld-joint corrosion resistance. According to the results of metallurgical investigations and corrosion tests, welding wire AWS ER 309 L was suitable for welding duplex stainless steel(SAF 2205) to austenitic stainless steel(AISI 316L) by gas tungsten arc welding(GTAW)process.     

Mechanical and corrosion behaviour of powder metallurgy stainless steel based metal matrix composites

Abstract

Stainless steel matrix composites were manufactured using powder metallurgy techniques. Matrixes of AISI 316L stainless steel were reinforced with yttria or alumina particles. Chromium diboride was added in some cases and boron nitride in others to obtain steels with densities close to theoretical, using reactive (liquid phase) sintering techniques. The composites showed very good densification and better hardness than the 316L stainless steel without additions. The 316L steel reinforced with 4 wt-% yttria chromium diboride showed the highest density and strength, with an acceptable corrosion resistance.     

NaSCN溶液中耐腐蚀材料的选择

用失重法和电化学法研究了Ａ３钢化学镀镍层、ＡＴＳＩ３１６和ＡＩＳＩ３０４Ｌ不锈钢在ＮａＳＣＮ溶液中的腐蚀行为。结果表明，ＡＩＳ３１６不锈钢在ＮａＳＣＮＢ溶液中具有优良的耐蚀性。其成分中Ｍｏ能抑制点蚀。Ａ３钢Ｎｉ－Ｐ镀层在ＮａＳＣＮ溶液中可能取代不锈钢，但镀层针孔及缺陷问题有待解决。     

Effect of Surface Treatment and Metallic Coating on Corrosion Behavior and Biocompatibility of Surgical 316L Stainless Steel Implant

Surface engineering technology is a suitable method for coatings on the metal surfaces or performing surface modification treatment,which can improve corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of metals.In this research,corrosion behavior of Nb coating on H 2 SO 4 and HNO 3 treated AISI stainless steel 316L (SS) was evaluated.Nb coating was carried out using physical vapor deposition process on the SS.Characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) technique were used to investigate the microstructure and morphology of the coated and treated SS.Electrochemical potentiodynamic tests were performed in two types of physiological solutions and compared with the pristine SS specimens.Cyclic polarization tests were performed to evaluate resistivity against pitting.Experimental results indicate that Nb coating and surface treatment of the SS had a positive effect on improvement of corrosion behavior.The decrease in corrosion current densities was significant for coated and treated specimens.The corrosion current density was much lower than the values obtained for pristine specimens.     

Degradation of mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of AISI 317L steel exposed at 550 °C

The use of austenitic stainless steel type AISI 317L has increased in the last years, in substitution to AISI 316L and other austenitic grades. The higher Mo content (3.0 wt.%. at least) gives higher corrosion resistance to AISI 317L. However, some concern arises when this material is selected to high temperature process services in refineries. Microstructural changes such as chromium carbide precipitation and sigma phase formation may occur in prolonged exposure above 450 °C. In this work, the microstructure evolution of AISI 317L steel during aging at 550 °C was analyzed. Thermodynamic calculations with Thermocalc® and detailed microstructural analysis were performed in steel plate base metal and in weld metal produced by GTAW process. The aging for 200, 300 and 400 h promoted gradual embrittlement and deterioration of corrosion resistance of both weld and base metal. The results show that the selection of AISI 317L steel to services where temperatures can reach 550 °C is not recommended.     

Keyhole gas tungsten arc welding of AISI 316L stainless steel

Keyhole gas tungsten arc welding (K-TIG) was used to weld AISI 316L stainless steel of mid-thickness (thickness ranging 6–13 mm). 316L plates of 10-mm thickness were jointed using an I-groove in a single pass without filler metal. The effects of welding parameters on the fusion zone profile were investigated. The weld properties, including mechanical properties, microstructure, and corrosion resistance, were analyzed. The primary weld microstructures were austenite and δ-ferrite. The tensile strength and impact property of the weld were almost the same as those of the base metal, while the corrosion resistance of the weld was even better than that of the base metal. High-quality 316L stainless steel joints can be realized through K-TIG welding with high productivity and low processing cost. The practical application of K-TIG welding to join mid-thickness workpieces in industry is well demonstrated and an ideal process for welding AISI 316L of mid-thickness with high efficiency and low cost is presented.     

Surface interactions of a W-DLC-coated biomedical AISI 316L stainless steel in physiological solution

The corrosion stability of a W-DLC coated surgical AISI 316L stainless steel in Hanks’ solution has been evaluated. Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) measurements were performed to evaluate the incorporation of potentially bioactive elements from the physiological solution. The film structure was analyzed by X-ray diffractometry and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The wear behavior was assessed using the sphere-on-disc geometry. The in vitro biocompatibility of the W-DLC film was evaluated by cytotoxicity tests. The corrosion resistance of the stainless steel substrate decreased in the presence of the PVD layer. EIS measurements suggest that this behavior was closely related to the corrosion attack through the coating pores. PIXE measurements revealed the presence of Ca and P in the W-DLC film after immersion in Hanks’ solution. This result shows that the PIXE technique can be applied to identify and evaluate the incorporation of bioactive elements by W-DLC films. The film showed good wear resistance and biocompatibility.     

Modifying the properties of AISI 316L steel by glow discharge assisted low-temperature nitriding and oxynitriding

Apart from titanium, its alloys and CoCrMo alloys, austenitic steels are widely used in medical applications. In order to improve the frictional wear resistance of these steels, they are subjected to various surface treatments such that the good corrosion resistance of the steels is preserved.The paper analyzes the structure and phase composition of AISI 316L steel after subjecting it to low-temperature nitriding and oxynitriding under glow discharge conditions. The treatments produced diffusion-type surface layers composed of nitrogen-expanded austenite (known as the phase S, i.e. supersaturated solution of nitrogen in austenite) with a thin surface layer of chromium nitride (CrN) zone (after nitriding) or chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) zone (after oxynitriding). It has been shown that the treatments substantially increase the hardness and frictional wear resistance of the steel without degrading its good corrosion resistance (examined in the Ringer physiological solution at a temperature of 37 °C).     

Experimental investigation on corrosion and hardness of ion implanted AISI 316L stainless steel

The AISI 316L stainless steel has been widely used both in artificial knee and hip joints in bio-medical applications. In the present study AISI 316L SS was implanted with two different ions: nitrogen and helium at 100 keV with a dose of 1 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm² at room temperature. The crystallographic orientation and surface morphology were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of ion implantation on the corrosion performance of AISI 316L stainless steel was evaluated in 0.9% NaCl solution using electro chemical test both on the virgin and implanted samples. The subsequent Tafel analysis shows that the ion implanted specimens were more corrosion resistant when compared to the bare specimens. Microhardness was also measured by Vickers method by varying the loads. The results of the studies indicated that there was a significant improvement in both corrosion resistance and hardness of implanted samples.     

In vitro corrosion resistance of Lotus-type porous Ni-free stainless steels

The corrosion behavior of three kinds of austenitic high nitrogen Lotus-type porous Ni-free stainless steels was examined in acellular simulated body fluid solutions and compared with type AISI 316L stainless steel. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical techniques, the analysis of released metal ions was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the cytotoxicity was investigated in a culture of murine osteoblasts cells. Total immunity to localized corrosion in simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions was exhibited by Lotus-type porous Ni-free stainless steels, while Lotus-type porous AISI 316L showed very low pitting corrosion resistance evidenced by pitting corrosion at a very low breakdown potential. Additionally, Lotus-type porous Ni-free stainless steels showed a quite low metal ion release in SBF solutions. Furthermore, cell culture studies showed that the fabricated materials were non-cytotoxic to mouse osteoblasts cell line. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that the investigated alloys are biocompatible and corrosion resistant and a promising material for biomedical applications.     

The Influence of VC–Al Additive on Wear Resistance of cBN-based Composites

The paper addresses wear resistance of cBN–VC–Al cutting tool material under the conditions of high-speed continuous turning of AISI 316L stainless steel.     

Electrochemistry of AISI 316L stainless steel in calcium phosphate and protein solutions

The influence of calcium phosphate and serum on the corrosion resistance of AISI 316L stainless steel in 0.9% NaCl solution was investigated. Both substances are responsible for an increase in the pitting corrosion resistance. Calcium phosphate accelerates the rate of film formation, enhances the release of iron and nickel, and retards that of chromium from a corroding surface. Proteins induce the incorporation of phosphorus and calcium in corrosion products. These effects appear to replicate the accumulation of the same elements observed on stainless steels corrodedin vivo.     

Synthesis of nanostructured zirconia electrodeposited films on AISI 316L stainless steel and its behaviour in corrosion resistance assessment

This work deals with the study of AISI 316L stainless steel samples coated with nanostructured zirconia thin films, using electrodeposition methods. The chemical composition and compounds formed were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The morphology of zirconia films was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).Corrosion resistance of the coated steel was tested in a chloride environment. XPS analysis results show zirconium element on the metal surface, bound to oxygen-forming zirconia. The anodic polarization curves obtained in Hank's solution show that zirconia coating can be used as protective coating against pitting corrosion of AISI 316L stainless steels.     

Structure and wear resistance of the composite layers produced by glow discharge nitriding and PLD method on AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel

The rapid technical development enhances the demands on constructional materials in terms of their resistance to frictional wear, resistance to corrosion and erosion, high hardness, high tensile and fatigue strength. These demands can be satisfied by e.g. applying various surface engineering techniques that permit to modify the microstructure, phase and chemical composition of the surface layers of the treated parts. A prospective line of the development of surface engineering is the production of composite layers by combining various surface engineering methods. The paper presents the results of examinations of the phase composition and frictional wear resistance of the layers produced by hybrid processes, i.e. such that combined glow discharge assisted nitriding performed at 450 °C and 550 °C with a pulsed laser deposition of boron nitride coatings (PLD method). It has been shown that the boron nitride coatings formed on nitrided AISI 316L steel increase its frictional wear resistance.