Hydrogen Permeation Behavior of Stainless Steels Treated with Nitrogen-Plasma

Abstract

Abstract:The surface of austenitic stainless steel SUS316L was treated with nitrogen-plasma and its hydrogen permeability function was investigated. On the stainless steel surface, a nitride phase and a nitrogen-dispersed phase were found 5 m from the surface. The nitride phase was mainly consisting of -Fe 2-3 N particles 0.1-0.4 m in size. This nitride phase had hydrogen permeability an order of magnitude less than that for the untreated sample. The plasma nitride sample was confirmed to have a hydrogen permeation prevention effect.