Caracterizaci\'on de austenita expandida generada por cementaci\'on i\'onica de aceros inoxidables. Estudio de la estabilidad frente a la irradiaci\'on con haces de iones ligeros energ\'eticos

TL;DR

This study investigates the surface modification of AISI 316L stainless steel through carburising and nitriding, analyzing their stability under ion irradiation and high-temperature conditions using plasma and sputtering techniques.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the stability of expanded austenite layers on stainless steel under ion irradiation and high-temperature treatments, combining plasma and sputtering methods.

Findings

Expanded austenite shows stability under ion bombardment.

Carburised and nitrided layers maintain properties after high-temperature exposure.

Surface modifications improve wear and corrosion resistance.

Abstract

This thesis was focused on the surface modification with plasma discharge. Austenitic AISI 316L stainless steel sample was carburised under different experimental conditions and mechanical properties have been studied (thickness, lattice parameter, elemental composition, hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance). After that, steel substrates have been nitrided or carburised in order to analyse their stability under ion bombardment using a plasma focus device. Helium and deuterium were the gases used in 0, 1, 5, and 10 discharges. Optical and X-ray characterisations were used. Finally, using magnetron sputtering nitrided/carburised samples were coated with an AlN thin film in order to study their stability under long treatments at high temperatures.