Influence of nitrided and carbonitrided interlayers on enhanced nucleation of diamond on stainless steel 304

As previously reported by various investigators, interlayers may be a successful solution for the problem of depositing diamond on steel substrates. The properties of the interlayers have been found to have a strong effect on the initial stages of CVD diamond formation. In this paper, the effect of different nitrided steel phases has been investigated for enhancing nucleation on stainless steel 304 substrates. Carburization of the nitrided substrate surface during the initial stages of diamond deposition leads to the formation of chromium carbide and the resulting microstructure of the interface between substrate and diamond film is probably responsible for enhanced adhesion of the diamond film.