Studies on Nano-Indentation and Corrosion Behavior of Diamond-Like Carbon Coated Stainless Steel (316L).

Stainless steel 316L is commonly used in biomedical applications like dental implants, surgical tools, and other devices due to its corrosion resistance and cost-effective materials compared to other biomaterials. It must be enhanced since 316L SS has a relatively low hardness and wear resistance. The coating process includes applying functional materials to the surface to modify and give it the desired properties. This study used a PVD technique for coating diamond-like carbon (DLC) on the surface of 316L stainless steel to enhance its material surface properties. The coated and uncoated SS316 surfaces were exposed to nanoindentation (ultra-nano hardness tester (UNHT3) and electrochemical corrosion tests such as open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in simulated body fluids at 37 °C. SEM characterized the morphologies and compositions of the surfaces with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]