Abrasive resistance and corrosion properties of AISI 316 sieve via low-temperature gaseous nitriding

AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel samples were treated via gaseous nitriding at low temperature (430 °C) to obtain a single expanded austenite layer (S-phase). The structural phases were characterized via both optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Microhardness and dry-sliding wear behavior were investigated via scanning electron microscopy, electron probe of microanalysis, Vickers indentation tester, and ball-on-flat wear tester, respectively. The wear of the substrate AISI 316 steel was severe and characterized by strong adhesion, abrasion, and spallation, while the wear of the S-phase layer was mild and dominated by slight abrasion. Furthermore, the corrosion properties were investigated via potentiodynamic polarization testing in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results show that the S-phase layers was produced at low nitrided temperature with improved wear resistance as well as improved corrosion resistance. •Gaseous nitriding at 430 °C produced a S-phase layer with thickness of 7–9 μm.•The maximum surface microhardness of 1100 HV0.05 was obtained.•The corrosion resistance was improved by gaseous nitriding.•The wear resistance was enhanced significantly by gaseous nitriding.