AISI 316L stainless steel modification by surface alloy and a-C:H:SiOx coating synthesis

AISI 316L austenite stainless steel is often used in orthopedics, although metal particles and metal ions are the major weakness of metallic prostheses associated with the tissue inflammation and proliferation. This paper presents the surface modification of the AISI 316L steel substrate to reduce its wear and corrosion rate using a combination of two methods. For that, the titanium alloy is synthesized on the substrate surface using the magnetron sputtering and electron-beam treatment. The elemental and phase compositions of the surface are investigated by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. The a-C:H:SiOx coating is deposited onto substrates with the surface alloy by plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition to significantly improve the mechanical, anti-corrosion and wear-resistant properties of AISI 316L austenite stainless steel. The mechanical properties and the surface of the obtained coating are examined by nanoindentation and optical microscopy, respectively. It is shown that substrates with the surface alloy and a-C:H:SiOx coating manifest stability to autoclave sterilization proven by the results of optical microscopy.