Plasma immersion ion implantation of nitrogen on austenitic stainless steel at variable energy for enhanced corrosion resistance

Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) of nitrogen on AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel has been investigated at four different negative implantation biases (5, 10, 15, 20 kV) and two different pulse-on-times (5 and 10 mu s) for developing a nitrogen/nitride-rich corrosion resistive layer. Post implanted specimens were examined by X-ray diffraction, and subjected to potentiodynamic polarization tests in 1 wt.% NaCl solution. PIII at - 15 kV shows significant and optimum improvement in corrosion resistance.