2025 Volume 65 Issue 1 Pages 127-132
Austenitic stainless steels such as SUS304 are widely used in various applications due to their excellent corrosion resistance; however, their low hardness and wear resistance limit their structural use. Plasma nitriding was applied using a Ti–Mo combination screen to simultaneously form a Ti–Mo composite nitride layer and a nitrogen diffusion layer in SUS304 stainless steel. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the plasma-nitrided SUS304 were evaluated. XRD analysis revealed peaks of δ-(Ti,Mo)N, which originated from the constituent elements of the screen, indicating the successful formation of a Ti–Mo–N composite nitride layer on the sample surface. The thickness of the Ti–Mo–N layer increased with higher gas pressure and nitrogen content in the gas mixture. The formation of the Ti–Mo–N layer on the nitrogen diffusion layer significantly enhanced the hardness and reduced the kinetic friction coefficient. The results suggest that this surface treatment method could be beneficial for improving the durability and lifespan of stainless steel components in demanding applications.
