Optimum temperature on corrosion resistance for plasma ion nitrided 316L stainless steel in sea water solution.

The aim of this research is to investigate the optimum plasma ion nitriding temperature on corrosion resistance in natural sea water for plasma ion nitrided 316L stainless steel. Plasma ion nitriding was conducted at different temperatures of 350, 400, 450, and 500 °C with a mixture of 75% of nitrogen and 25% of hydrogen during 10 h. In conclusion of anodic polarization test, a wide passive potential region and a high corrosion potential were observed at a plasma ion nitriding temperature of 450 °C. Moreover, relatively less damage depth and clean surface micrographs were observed at 450 °C as results of observation of three-dimensional (3D) microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) after polarization experiments. In addition, higher corrosion potential and lower corrosion current density were indicated at plasma ion nitrided samples than the value of untreated substrate after Tafel analysis. Hence, plasma ion nitrided at 450 °C in sea water solution represented optimum corrosion resistance among the all the plasma ion nitriding temperature parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]