Influence of ion nitriding process on the properties of zirconia coating deposited on stainless steel

ZrO2-3 mol % Y2O3-coated AISI 310 stainless steel was nitrided using plasma produced by dc pulsed discharge in a mixture of N-2 and H-2 at an equilibrium temperature of 450 degrees C. Profile chemical analyses with GDOS (glow discharge optical spectroscopy) and XRD showed the formation of Nitrogen/Y-ZrO2 solid solution. Nitrogen atoms enter in the zirconia substituting to the oxygen atoms in the network. Although, the nitrogen content measured in zirconia coating is greater than the allowed maximum nitrogen content in doped-zirconia solid solution, the formation of oxynitrides could not be detected. The phase structure was investigated by Xray diffractometry The mechanical properties were studied by means ultramicrohardness indentation tests. The nitruration improves the mechanical responses of the ZrO2-3 mol% Y2O3-coated AISI 3 10 stainless steel.