Modifying the structure of glow discharge nitrided layers produced on high-nickel chromium-less steel with the participation of an athermal martensitic transformation

Abstract

High-nickel steels composed of metastable austenite are used in the nuclear power industry, aircraft industry, arms industry, and also in the manufacture of surgical instruments. These steels can be exploited at both low and elevated temperatures. Their important advantage lies in that, during plastic deformation, austenite transforms into martensite (TRIP effect). When subjected to a phase transformation combined with precipitation hardening these steels can achieve very high strength indices (R0.2 ≈ 2200 MPa).