The Interplay Effects between Feed-Gas Composition and Bias Plasma Condition during Active-Screen Plasma Nitrocarburizing with a Solid Carbon Source

Recent technological development of utilizing an active screen made solid carbon for plasma-assisted thermochemical diffusion treatments opens up new possibilities control over the in situ generated treatment environment to guarantee reproducible conditions and material responses. Until now, investigations active-screen plasma nitrocarburizing (ASPNC) using manufactured from focused on influence a single parameter variation response. In this systematic study, experiments were conducted vary H2-N2 feed-gas composition while varying bias power. The served better understand simultaneous mentioned parameters resulting response during ASPNC AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel. Therefore, nitriding carburizing effects expanded austenite layer can be obtained. It is shown that increased effect, i.e., nitrogen depth content, was achieved case biased compositions with higher N2 amounts. On contrary, nonbiased conditions, independent composition.