Numerical Simulations of Carbon and Nitrogen Composition-Depth Profiles in Nitrocarburized Austenitic Stainless Steels

Abstract

Unusual composition-depth profiles have been observed after low-temperature nitrocarburization of austenitic stainless steels. When nitridation is performed after carburization, the carbon concentration in the nitrogen diffusion zone is reduced from ≈10 to ≈2 at. pct. Conversely, the carbon concentration in advance of the nitrogen diffusion zone is as high as 10 at. pct. This has been called a “push” effect of nitrogen on carbon, but this concept is non-physical. The profiles can be better understood from conventional thermodynamic principles, recognizing that (1) diffusion always occurs in response to gradients in chemical potentials and (2) the diffusivity of interstitial solutes in austenite is strongly concentration dependent, increasing dramatically with higher solute concentrations. Parameters from the CALPHAD literature quantitatively indicate that interstitial nitrogen and carbon in austenitic stainless steel mutually increase their chemical potentials. Based on these data, we have conducted numerical simulations of composition-depth profiles that correctly account for the chemical potential gradients and the concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficients for nitrogen and carbon. The simulations predict the “push” effect observed on nitridation after carburization, as well as the corresponding composition-depth profiles for other scenarios, e.g., carburization followed by nitridation or simultaneous nitridation and carburization (nitrocarburization).