The Effect of Hydrogen on Plasma Nitriding of Austenitic Stainless Steel: Kinetic Modeling

The kinetic model of adsorption and stress-induced diffusion of nitrogen in austenitic stainless steels taking place during plasma nitriding using various mixtures of nitrogen and hydrogen is proposed. On the basis of proposed model, a numerical study has been undertaken to analyze and describe the effect of hydrogen on plasma nitriding of austenitic stainless steel. It was shown that the addition of hydrogen with concentrations in the range ~(30 to 40) pct enhances nitrogen penetration into steel. This is due to two factors: (1) reduction of the surface oxide due to chemical etching of the oxygen by hydrogen and (2) increase of NH radicals which are converted to active nitrogen atoms on the steel surface, i.e., the amount of adsorbed and diffused nitrogen increases. As a result, the thicker nitrogen-containing layer is observed. Moreover, results of numerical prediction show that an excessive amount of hydrogen (more than ~70 pct) in the gas mixture retards the nitriding process in comparison with nitriding in pure nitrogen plasma.