Elevated temperature nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation of AISI 302 austenitic stainless steel

AISI 302 steel was modified using elevated temperature nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation. The thickness of the modified layers is improved significantly compared with that of the layer implanted at room temperature. The surface nanohardness of the treated sample is much higher. Both the friction coefficient and wear rate are dramatically reduced due to the formation of new phases such as (Cr, Fe)2N1−x, ε-(Fe, Cr, Ni)2+xN, nitrogen expanded austenite (γN) or noncrystalline phase in the near surface.