In situ photoemission electron spectroscopy study of nitrogen ion implanted AISI-H13 steel

TL;DR

This study investigates how hydrogen influences nitrogen retention on AISI-H13 steel surfaces during ion implantation, revealing an optimal hydrogen concentration for maximum nitrogen incorporation, which could improve surface treatment processes.

Contribution

It demonstrates hydrogen's role in modifying nitrogen retention during ion implantation, providing new insights into surface modification techniques for steel.

Findings

Hydrogen modifies nitrogen retention on steel surfaces.

Optimal H2/(H2+N2) ratio for maximum nitrogen incorporation is 20-40%.

Hydrogen's effect extends beyond oxygen etching in vacuum environments.

Abstract

In this paper we report the effect of hydrogen on the structural properties of AISI-H13 steel nitrogen-implanted samples in low oxygen partial pressure atmosphere. The samples were implanted in a high vacuum chamber by using a broad ion beam source. The H2+/N2+ ion composition of the beam was varied and the surface composition studied in situ by photoemission electron spectroscopy (XPS). The samples were also ex situ analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), including energy-dispersive spectroscopy measurements. It was found that hydrogen has the effect of modifying the amount of retained nitrogen at the surfaces. This result shows that hydrogen plays a role beyond the well-established effect of oxygen etching in industrial machines where vacuum is relatively less well controlled. Finally, an optimum concentration of 20 to 40% [H2]/[H2+N2] ion beam composition was determined to obtain maximum nitrogen incorporation on the metal surface.