Abstract
The present paper reports the experimental results on martensitic stainless steel low-temperature plasma assisted carburizing kinetics. The treatments were carried out using a gas mixture of 99.5% (80% H2+20% Ar)+0.5% CH4 at temperatures of 623, 673, 723 and 773K and for times of 4, 8, 12 and 16h. The peak voltage and the pulse period of the pulsed DC power supply were kept constant at 700V and 240μs, respectively. Temperature was controlled by adjusting the duty cycle. The treated samples were characterized by confocal laser scanning microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and microhardness measurements. Results indicate that low-temperature plasma carburizing is a diffusion controlled process. The calculated activation energy for outer and diffusion layer growth was 29 and 85kJmol−1, respectively. An apparently precipitation-free layer can be produced only when the processing temperature is sufficiently low (≤723K) and time sufficiently short (≤12h).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
