Comprehensive Study of Electrolytic Plasma Nitriding of Austenitic Stainless Steels
Rakhadilov B. Satbayeva Z. Maulit A. Kozhanova R. Kurmangaliyev R. Rustemov A.
May 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Crystals
2025#15Issue 5
The study investigates the spectral, structural, and phase changes occurring in austenitic steel 12Kh18N10T during cathodic electrolytic plasma nitriding (EPN) in a Na2CO3–CO(NH2)2–NH4Cl electrolyte at 550 °C for 10 min. Emission spectroscopy revealed active plasma components: N2+, N I, Hα, and O I. The electron density, calculated from the Hα line broadening, was approximately 8.5 × 1018 cm−3. X-ray phase analysis revealed the formation of CrN, Fe3N phases, and a solid solution of nitrogen in γ-Fe. SEM analysis revealed a three-layer structure of the nitrided layer: a nitride zone, a transition region, and the austenitic matrix. The EDS profile confirmed a decrease in nitrogen concentration, accompanied by a reduction in microhardness from a maximum of 480 HV at the surface, both gradually decreasing with depth. The friction coefficient decreased from ~0.8 (in the initial state) to ~0.6 after EPN. The results confirm the effectiveness of EPN in strengthening and improving the wear resistance of stainless steel.
electric discharge , electrolytic plasma nitriding , electron density , emission spectroscopy , nitride layer , surface modification
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
“PlasmaScience” LLP, Ust-Kamenogorsk, 070018, Kazakhstan
Research School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Shakarim University, Semey, 071412, Kazakhstan
“PlasmaScience” LLP
Research School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026