AN INTERFACE STUDY OF VARIOUS PVD TIN COATINGS ON PLASMA-NITRIDED AUSTENITIC STAINLESS-STEEL AISI 304

Abstract

The adhesion between a TiN coating and a plasma-nitrided austenitic stainless steel is influenced by using different process steps. In order to obtain some information about the effects of various parameters, different process steps are used during the coating of austenitic stainless steel AISI 304. The deposition of a TiN layer with a Ti intermediate layer results in bad adhesion, especially when a thicker TiN coating has been deposited. X-Ray diffraction measurements indicate the presence of a martensitic phase on top of the plasma-nitrided surface after deposition of the TiN coating. This martensitic phase is also observed if after plasma nitriding only an additional heat treatment is carried out. A transmission electron microscopy study is also performed to reveal the microstructure.