Low energy, high-flux nitridation of face centred cubic metallic matrices

Fernando Pedraza (1) , C. Savall (1) , G. Abrasonis (2) , J.P Rivière (2) , J.F Dinhut (1) , Jean-Luc Grosseau-Poussard (1)

1 LEMMA - Laboratoire d'Etude des Matériaux en Milieux Agressifs
2 LMP - Laboratoire de métallurgie physique

In this work, a comparative study on the effects of a low energy, high-flux nitrogen implantation at moderate temperature on different fcc metallic matrices (Ni, NiCr20 and FeCr20Ni10) is presented. The nitrided layer main features (thickness, composition and surface roughness) will be shown to be markedly dependant on the original substrate composition. As calculated by thermodynamic analyses, the low chemical affinity of pure nickel towards nitrogen accounts for ineffective nitridation, whereas the presence of chromium clearly promotes nitrogen diffusion into the matrix. Comparatively, N uptake is enhanced in the Fe-rich matrix thus suggesting a beneficial role of iron. As a result, a expanded austenite layer is formed in both Cr-containing substrates which brings about a significant increase in microhardness. Roughening of the nickel surfaces mainly occurs by sputtering whereas nitrogen-induced deformation seems to be the main responsible in the NiCr20 and FeCr20Ni10 substrates.

Mots clés: Nitrogen implantation; fcc metal matrix; Expanded austenite; Hardening

Domaines: Matériaux

Fernando Pedraza, C. Savall, G. Abrasonis, J.P Rivière, J.F Dinhut, et al.. Low energy, high-flux nitridation of face centred cubic metallic matrices. Thin Solid Films, 2007, 515, pp.3661-3669. ⟨10.1016/j.tsf.2006.10.081⟩. ⟨hal-00512802⟩