Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:06:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RomuloRMS.pdf: 3055902 bytes, checksum: 75eaf485a85529179129dd468ccfc772 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-12-18 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The ionic plasma nitriding is one of the most important plasma assisted treatment technique for surface modification, but it presents some inherent problems mainly in nitriding pieces with complex geometries. In the last four years has appeared a plasma nitriding technique, named ASPN (Active Screen Plasma Nitriding) in which the samples and the workload are surrounded by a metal screen on which the cathodic potential is applied. This new technique makes possible to obtain a perfect uniform nitrided layer apart from the shape of the samples. The present work is based on the development of a new nitriding plasma technique named CCPN (Cathodic Cage Plasma Nitriding) Patent PI 0603213-3 derived from ASPN, but utilizes the hollow cathode effect to increase the nitriding process efficiency. That technique has shown great improvement on the treatment of several types of steels under different process conditions, producing thicker and harder layers when compared with both, ASPN and ionic plasma nitriding, besides eliminating problems associated with the later technique. The best obtained results are due to the hollow cathode effect on the cage holes. Moreover, characteristic problems of ionic plasma nitriding are eliminated due to the fact that the luminescent discharge acts on the cage wall instead of on the samples surface, which remains under a floating potential. In this work the enhancement of the cathodic cage nitriding layers proprieties, under several conditions for some types of steels was investigated, besides the mechanism for nitrides deposition on glass substrate, concluding that the CCPN is both a diffusion and a deposition process at the same time / A nitreta??o i?nica ? um dos processos de revestimento superficial dos mais importantes, mas apresenta alguns problemas inerentes, principalmente, na nitreta??o de pe?as com geometria complexa. Nos ?ltimos quatro anos surgiu uma nova t?cnica de nitreta??o a plasma, denominada de ASPN (Active Screen Plasma Nitriding), na qual as amostras s?o envolvidas por uma tela polarizada catodicamente e com ela ? poss?vel obter uma camada nitretada, perfeitamente uniforme, independente da forma da amostra. O nosso trabalho baseia-se no desenvolvimento, no ?mbito do LabPlasma, de uma nova t?cnica de nitreta??o em plasma, denominada nitreta??o em gaiola cat?dica (NGC) dep?sito de patente PI 0603213-3 derivada da ASPN, mas que utiliza o efeito de c?todo oco para aumentar a efici?ncia do processo de nitreta??o. Esta t?cnica apresentou bastante efic?cia na nitreta??o de v?rios tipos de a?os, nas mais variadas condi??es de tratamento, proporcionando a obten??o de camadas mais espessas e de maior dureza, quando comparada com a ASPN e com a nitreta??o i?nica convencional, al?m de eliminar problemas de irregularidades associados ? t?cnica convencional. Sua maior efici?ncia deve-se ? utiliza??o do efeito de c?todo oco estabelecido nas paredes dos furos da gaiola, enquanto que a elimina??o dos problemas inerentes ? t?cnica convencional, deve-se ao fato do plasma atuar na gaiola e n?o nas amostras, as quais permanecem em potencial flutuante. Neste trabalho, foram avaliadas as condi??es de otimiza??o da nitreta??o, realizada com esta t?cnica, para diferentes tipos de a?os, al?m de investigarmos os mecanismos que atuam, quando da deposi??o de nitretos em substratos de vidro, observando que a NGC ? um processo misto de difus?o e deposi??o

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:07:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PolianaRFS_DISSERT.pdf: 3998823 bytes, checksum: e0480a4a5d6b04450e748434898535a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-01 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The technique of plasma nitriding by the cathode cage mainly stands out for its ability to produce uniform layers, even on parts with complex geometries. In this study, it was investigated the efficiency of this technique for obtaining duplex surface, when used, simultaneously, to nitriding treatment and thin film deposition at temperatures below 500?C. For this, were used samples of AISI 41 0 Martensitic Stainless Steel and performed plasma treatment, combining nitriding and deposition of thin films of Ti and/or TiN in a plasma atmosphere containing N2-H2. It was used a cathodic cage of titanium pure grade II, cylindrical with 70 mm diameter and 34 mm height. Samples were treated at temperature 420?C for 2 and 12 hours in different working pressures. Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with micro-analysis by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and analysis of Vickers Microhardness were used to investigate coating properties such as homogeneity and surface topography, chemical composition, layer thickness, crystalline phase, roughness and surface microhardness. The results showed there is a direct proportionality between the presence of H2 in plasma atmosphere and the quantity of titanium in surface chemical composition. It was also observed that the plasma treatment at lowpressure is more effective in formation of TiN thin film / A t?cnica de nitreta??o a plasma por gaiola cat?dica vem se destacando, principalmente, pela sua capacidade de produzir camadas uniformes mesmo em pe?as com geometria complexa. Neste trabalho, investigou-se a efici?ncia desta t?cnica para obten??o de superf?cie duplex, quando utilizada, simultaneamente, para tratamento de nitreta??o e deposi??o de filmes finos em temperaturas inferiores a 500?C. Para tal, foram utilizadas amostras do a?o inoxid?vel martens?tico AISI 410 e realizados tratamentos a plasma, combinando a nitreta??o e deposi??o de filmes finos de Ti e/ou TiN, em uma atmosfera contendo N2-H2. Foi utilizada uma gaiola cat?dica de tit?nio puro grau II em forma cil?ndrica, com 70 mm de di?metro e 34 mm de altura. As amostras foram tratadas numa temperatura de 420?C, com dura??o de 2 e 12 horas e em diferentes press?es de trabalho. Microscopia ?ptica (MO), Microscopia Eletr?nica de Varredura (MEV) com microan?lise por Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva (EDS), Difra??o de Raios-X (DRX), Microscopia de For?a At?mica (MFA) e ensaio de Microdureza Vickers foram empregados para investigar as propriedades do revestimento, tais como homogeneidade e topografia superficial, composi??o qu?mica, espessura da camada, fases cristalinas, rugosidade e microdureza superficial. Os resultados mostraram existir uma proporcionalidade direta entre a presen?a de H2 na atmosfera do plasma e a quantidade do elemento qu?mico tit?nio na composi??o qu?mica superficial. Observou-se, tamb?m, que o tratamento a plasma em baixa press?o ? mais eficaz na forma??o do filme fino de nitreto de tit?nio

O presente trabalho apresenta um estudo do tratamento duplex para o biomaterial Nitinol (NiTi). Este tratamento consiste em nitretação a plasma para a formação do nitreto de titânio (TiN), seguido de deposição de um filme fino de nitreto de zircônio (ZrN) sobre a superfície nitretada. O estudo das fases cristalinas presentes no sistema foi realizado pela técnica de difração de raios X (DRX). A morfologia e espessura da camada nitretada e do filme fino depositado foram avaliadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As propriedades mecânicas foram estudadas mediante ensaios de nanoindentação. Para avaliar a resistência à corrosão foram realizados testes de polarização potenciodinâmica em solução de saliva artificial. Os resultados mostram que a temperatura de nitretação tem forte influência na formação do TiN na superfície do substrato. O filme de ZrN depositado sobre as amostras nitretadas apresenta propriedades de dureza e resistência à corrosão que dependem da temperatura de nitretação, mesmo tendo sido depositados sem variação de temperatura. Esse comportamento sugere que os filmes são influenciados pela condição inicial da superfície antes da deposição. Os melhores resultados em termos de dureza e resistência à corrosão foram obtidos nas amostras tratadas em temperaturas mais elevadas. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-06-05T18:07:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Juliane Carla Bernardi.pdf: 2940702 bytes, checksum: 376b73745f740260fc19e7a6e8b5d900 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-05T18:07:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Juliane Carla Bernardi.pdf: 2940702 bytes, checksum: 376b73745f740260fc19e7a6e8b5d900 (MD5) / The present work aims to study about duplex treatment on the biomaterial Nitinol (NiTi). This treatment consists in titanium nitride (TiN) formed by plasma nitration, followed by zirconium nitride (ZrN) thin film deposition upon the nitrated surface. The study of crystalline phases present in the system was performed by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). The morphology and thickness of the nitrated layer and thin film were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were studied by nanoindentation analysis. In order to evaluate corrosive resistance tests of potenciodynamic polarization were performed in solution of saliva artificial. Results demonstrate that nitration temperature has a strong influence in the formation TiN on the substrate surface. The ZrN film depositated upon nitrated samples present hardness and corrosive resistance properties that depend on nitration temperature, even though ZrN films were depositated without temperature variation. This behaviour suggests that films are influenced by the initial surface condition before depositon. The best results in terms of hardness and corrosive resistance were obtained in samples treated at higher temperatures.

CNPq, CAPES, FINEP / Devido à alta resistência a corrosão, os aços inoxidáveis possuem uma larga aplicabilidade em diversos setores industriais, seja indústria química, petroquímica ou alimentícia. Buscando atender solicitações ainda mais severas, métodos que melhorem a relação resistência à corrosão e propriedades mecânicas destes aços tem sido objeto de estudo de diversos pesquisadores. Com o objetivo de aumentar a resistência mecânica, dureza superficial e resistência à corrosão dos aços inoxidáveis propôs-se a introdução de nitrogênio em solução sólida pelo processo de SHTPN (Solution Heat Treatment after Plasma Nitriding), em desenvolvimento no GrMaTS/UTFPR. O nitrogênio apresenta algumas vantagens como a redução da tendência à precipitação, e a estabilização da camada passiva. Além disso, o nitrogênio reage na área anódica, o que neutraliza o efeito da acidez melhorando assim a resistência a corrosão. Neste trabalho avaliou-se a resistência à corrosão do aço inoxidável ferrítico AISI 409, após a obtenção de uma camada martensítica enriquecida com nitrogênio em solução solida por meio do processo SHTPN. Em seguida foram avaliados os efeitos da temperatura de revenimento (200, 400 e 600 °C) e da temperatura de austenitização (950 e 1050 °C) na microestrutura, dureza e resistência à corrosão da camada martensítica obtida. A resistência à corrosão foi avaliada pela técnica de polarização cíclica em solução de NaCl 0,5 mol/L e os perfis de dureza obtidos por medição de dureza Vickers com carga de 0,05 Kgf (0,49 N). A microestrutura foi avaliada por Microscopia Óptica, Eletrônica de Varredura e por Difração de Raios-X. Os resultados indicam que o tratamento de SHTPN promoveu a formação de uma camada martensítica de nitrogênio, com consequente acréscimo de dureza de 160 HV para 580 HV. O tratamento têmpera após SHTPN não afetou significativamente a dureza do aço, contudo, refinou e melhorou a distribuição da martensita de nitrogênio. Os resultados de corrosão para as condições tratadas e revenidas a 200 °C indicam resistência à corrosão superior ou equivalente à da ferrita do material não tratado (AISI 409). Já as amostras revenidas nas temperaturas de 400 e 600 °C apresentaram um decréscimo na resistência à corrosão, bem como foi observada uma diminuição da dureza da amostra revenida a 600 °C. / Due to high corrosion resistance, stainless steels have a wide applicability in many industrial sectors, such as, chemical, petrochemical and food industries. With the demand for corrosion resistance materials becoming more stringent, methods that improve the relation corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of these steels has been studied by many researchers. In order to increase the mechanical strength, surface hardness and corrosion resistance of stainless steels we proposed the introduction of nitrogen in solid solution by the process of SHTPN (Solution Heat Treatment after Plasma Nitriding), under development in GrMaTS/UTFPR . Nitrogen in solid solution has some advantages over materials that have only carbon in the structure such lower tendency for precipitation and stabilization of the passive layer. In addition, the nitrogen reacts in the anodic area, which neutralizes the effect in the acidity thus improving the corrosion resistance. This research evaluate the corrosion resistance of ferritic stainless steel AISI 409, after obtaining a martensitic layer enriched with nitrogen, in solid solution, by SHTPN process. Effects of tempering temperature (200, 400 and 600 °C) and austenitization temperature (950 to 1050 °C) in the microstructure, hardness and corrosion resistance of martensitic layer obtained. Corrosion resistance was evaluated by cyclic polarization technique, with a NaCl solution 0.5 mol/L, and hardness profiles obtained by measuring the Vickers hardness with a load of 0.05 kgf (0.49 N). Samples microstructure was investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X- ray diffraction. Results indicate that the treatment of SHTPN promoted the formation of a martensitic nitrogen layer, with consequent increase of hardness of 160 HV to 580 HV on sample surface. Tempering treatments, realized after SHTPN did not significantly affect the hardness of steel, however, has refined and improved the distribution of nitrogen martensite. Corrosion results of sample treated and annealed at 200 °C indicate higher or equal resistance to that of the untreated ferrite materials (AISI 409) corrosion. Samples that were annealed at temperatures of 400 and 600 °C showed a decrease in the corrosion resistance as well as a decrease in hardness was observed in the sample tempered at 600 °C.

Le couplage des traitements de surface mécaniques et thermochimiques a fait l’objet de nombreuses études ces dernières années. L’objectif d’un tel couplage est l’amélioration des cinétiques de diffusion d’espèces chimiques résultant en une augmentation des profondeurs de diffusion, et/ou une diminution de la température du traitement thermochimique sur les matériaux prétraités mécaniquement. Dans cette thèse, le procédé SMAT (Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment) de nanocristallisation superficiel par déformation plastique sévère a été combiné avec la nitruration plasma sur un acier inoxydable 316L de qualité médicale. Ce procédé duplex permet une amélioration notable sur la capacité de diffusion de l’azote sous la surface de l’acier SMATé. Une étape intermédiaire entre le SMAT et la nitruration plasma a été proposée ; son rôle significatif pour la diffusion de l’azote a été démontré. Ainsi, la comparaison des résultats obtenus après la nitruration plasma sur les échantillons SMATés avec ceux uniquement nitrurés a permis de constater une augmentation jusqu’à 60% de l’épaisseur des couches nitrurées. Par ailleurs, de nombreux moyens de caractérisation ont été mis en œuvre à travers divers essais mécaniques de fatigue et de tribologie. Un modèle numérique multi-échelle de diffusion a également été développé pour simuler les profils de concentration d’azote après traitement duplex. Les profils de concentration d’azote simulés sont en bon accord avec les résultats expérimentaux / Coupled mechanical and thermochemical surface treatments have been the subject of much research effort in recent years. The goal of such a coupling is to improve diffusion kinetics leading to increased penetration depths, and/or to decrease the treatment temperature for mechanically pretreated materials. In this work, SMAT (Surface Mechanical Attrittion Treatment), used to refine the grain size by severe plastic deformation, is combined with plasma nitriding of a 316L medical-grade stainless steel. This duplex process significantly improves nitrogen diffusion. An intermediate treatment between SMAT and plasma nitriding is also proposed and its significant effect on the nitrogen diffusion is demonstrated. Comparisons between nitrided-only samples and duplex-treated samples have shown up to 60% increase of the nitrided layer thickness. In order to better understand the link between the generated microstructures and the mechanical fatigue and tribological responses, the samples have been characterised by many different techniques. Also, a multiscale numerical model of the diffusion process is proposed in order to simulate the nitrogen concentration profiles after duplex treatment. The simulated and experimental profiles correspond rather well

Die Arbeit beschäftigt sich im ersten Teil mit der Untersuchung des Einflusses der Prozessgrößen auf die Zielgrößen, Randschichthärtetiefe und die Oberflächenhärte beim Laserhärten. In einem weiteren Kapitel werden die Ergebnisse von verschiedenen Möglichkeiten der laserbasierten Härteverfahren zur Steigerung der Prozessgrenzen dargestellt. Eine Möglichkeit ist das Laserlegieren von kohlenstoffhaltigen Zusatzwerkstoffen, wie zum Beispiel mit Eisencarbid, Eisenchromcarbid oder Glaskohlenstoff. Dazu sind die Einflussgrößen auf die Einhärtetiefe sowie die Schmelzbaddynamik der jeweiligen Werkstoffe analysiert worden. Auf der Basis der neu erworbenen Kenntnisse ist ein Model zur Schichtdickenberechnung und eine numerische Simulation des Laserlegierprozesses entwickelt worden. Eine andere Möglichkeit die Prozessgrenzen zu erweitern ist, in der Arbeit durch das Laserauftragschweißen beschrieben worden. Dabei sind unterschiedliche Düsen und Beschichtungsstrategien zum Einsatz gekommen. Die letzte in der Arbeit beschriebene Methode zur Steigerung der Prozessgrenzen ist das Gaslegieren. Dabei sind Versuche zum Laserhärten unter Stickstoffatmosphäre sowie zum Lasercarbonitrieren als auch Lasercarburieren gemacht worden. Im letzten Kapitel werden konkrete Anwendungsgebiete zum Laserhärten von Powertrain-Komponenten vorgestellt. Dabei werden unterschiedliche Lösungsansätze zum Laserhärten von Bohrlöchern in Flanschwellen und zum Laserhärten der Hohlkehlen von Kurbelwellen aufgezeigt.

Les travaux présentés dans ce mémoire portent sur l’étude des plasmas d’hélium générés par micro-ondes en cavité résonnante à la pression atmosphérique et sur leurs applications en traitement de surfaces. Tout d’abord, un état de l’art sur les plasmas micro-ondes à la pression atmosphérique et leurs applications est présenté. Ensuite, un modèle collisionnel-radiatif de la décharge et de la post-décharge d’hélium pur est établi. Les résultats du modèle sont comparés aux mesures expérimentales obtenues à 2500 K et un jeu de sections efficaces et de constantes cinétiques valables pour ces conditions est proposé. Expérimentalement, des analyses par spectroscopie d’émission et d’absorption sont employées. La température du gaz est déterminée par la méthode du spectre rotationnel synthétique en fonction de la puissance, de la concentration et de la nature des impuretés introduites dans l’hélium. Il s’avère que le volume du plasma est un paramètre déterminant sur la température du gaz. La concentration du métastable He(23S), en décharge continue et pulsée, est déterminée par absorption laser. En décharge continue, la concentration du métastable est divisée par trois avec 360 ppm d’impureté, la nature de l’impureté n’ayant pas d’importance. En revanche, en post-décharge la nature de l’impureté est déterminante. Les mesures réalisées indiquent que He+ et non He2+ serait l’ion majoritaire. Concernant les applications de ce type de plasma, nous avons travaillé en post-décharge uniquement. Nous avons démontré la faisabilité du procédé de dépôt de SiOx à partir d’hexaméthyldisiloxane. Nous avons aussi montré que la nitruration du titane à haute température était possible / The present work deals with the study of helium microwave plasmas at atmospheric pressure generated in a resonant cavity and their applications in surface treatment. First of all, a state of art of microwave atmospheric pressure plasmas and their applications is presented. Next, a collisional-radiative model for pure helium discharge and post-discharge is described. The results of the model are compared to experimental data obtained at 2500 K and a coherent set of cross-sections and rate constants is obtained for these conditions. Emission and absorption spectroscopy diagnostics are employed to characterize the helium plasma. The gas temperature is determined by the rotational synthetic spectra method. The evolution of the gas temperature, as a function of the input power, the concentration and the nature of impurities in helium, is measured. It turns out that the plasma volume plays a significant role on the gas temperature. The He(23S) concentration is determined by laser absorption in pulsed and continuous mode. In continuous mode, the metastable concentration is divided by 3 with 360 ppm of impurity, regardless of the nature of the impurity. Nevertheless, during the post-discharge, in pulsed mode, the nature of the impurity plays an important role. These measurements support the idea that He+ and not He2+ is the main ion. Concerning the applications, only post-discharges are utilized. We demonstrate that deposition of SiOx using hexamethyldisiloxane as precursor can be efficient. We show that titanium nitriding at high temperature is possible

O presente trabalho apresenta um estudo do tratamento duplex para o biomaterial Nitinol (NiTi). Este tratamento consiste em nitretação a plasma para a formação do nitreto de titânio (TiN), seguido de deposição de um filme fino de nitreto de zircônio (ZrN) sobre a superfície nitretada. O estudo das fases cristalinas presentes no sistema foi realizado pela técnica de difração de raios X (DRX). A morfologia e espessura da camada nitretada e do filme fino depositado foram avaliadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As propriedades mecânicas foram estudadas mediante ensaios de nanoindentação. Para avaliar a resistência à corrosão foram realizados testes de polarização potenciodinâmica em solução de saliva artificial. Os resultados mostram que a temperatura de nitretação tem forte influência na formação do TiN na superfície do substrato. O filme de ZrN depositado sobre as amostras nitretadas apresenta propriedades de dureza e resistência à corrosão que dependem da temperatura de nitretação, mesmo tendo sido depositados sem variação de temperatura. Esse comportamento sugere que os filmes são influenciados pela condição inicial da superfície antes da deposição. Os melhores resultados em termos de dureza e resistência à corrosão foram obtidos nas amostras tratadas em temperaturas mais elevadas. / The present work aims to study about duplex treatment on the biomaterial Nitinol (NiTi). This treatment consists in titanium nitride (TiN) formed by plasma nitration, followed by zirconium nitride (ZrN) thin film deposition upon the nitrated surface. The study of crystalline phases present in the system was performed by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). The morphology and thickness of the nitrated layer and thin film were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were studied by nanoindentation analysis. In order to evaluate corrosive resistance tests of potenciodynamic polarization were performed in solution of saliva artificial. Results demonstrate that nitration temperature has a strong influence in the formation TiN on the substrate surface. The ZrN film depositated upon nitrated samples present hardness and corrosive resistance properties that depend on nitration temperature, even though ZrN films were depositated without temperature variation. This behaviour suggests that films are influenced by the initial surface condition before depositon. The best results in terms of hardness and corrosive resistance were obtained in samples treated at higher temperatures.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a formação e evolução da camada de nitretos sobre substrato de ferro com pureza de 99,83% e do aço AISI H12, nitretados por plasma. As camadas foram obtidas com a variação sistemática das condições de nitretação, como temperatura, tempo e frequência do plasma. A atmosfera de trabalho empregada foi a de uma mistura gasosa de 20% N2 + 80% H2, mantida à pressão constante de 6 mbar, sob fluxo. Uma investigação detalhada da camada nitretada das amostras de ferro foi feita através de desgaste mecânico em passos sucessivos e após cada desgaste, as novas camadas foram analisadas por espectroscopia Môssbauer de elétrons de conversão (CEMS) auxiliadas por outras técnicas, como difração de raios X, microdureza e microscopia ótica e eletrônica. As análises superficiais demonstraram que a camada nitretada é formada por uma mistura de nitretos γ-Fe4N, ε-Fe3N e-ε-Fe3,2N, que variam suas proporções com as condições de nitretação. Abaixo desta camada outros nitretos são formados como e ε-FeXN (2≤X≤3,2) e α-Fe16N2. No aço H12, foi estudada a influência da nitretação por plasma em correntes contínua e pulsada. As amostras foram caracterizadas quanto ao perfil de microdureza, perfil de concentração de nitrogênio, difração de raios X e espectroscopia Môssbauer de elétrons de conversão (CEMS) e de raios X de conversão (CXMS). A camada composta próxima à superfície, como vista por CEMS, consiste de uma mistura de γ-Fe4N e ε-FeX(N, C) enquanto a camada próxima à zona de difusão, investigada por CXMS, consiste de uma mistura de fases γ-Fe4N, ε-FeX(N, C) Fex(N, C), α-Fe16N2 e γ-austenita. O crescimento da camada nitretada quando difundida utilizando corrente contínua segue uma lei parabólica, o que não ocorre com o processo com corrente alternada. Este efeito deve ser devido à taxa de \"sputerring\" do catodo e da difusão auxiliada por radiação, que são mais acentuadas no caso de corrente alternada, para tempos de nitretação t ‹ 2h. A situação é revertida para t › 3h. / This work investigates the formation and evolution of nitride layers on a 99.83% pure iron and a AISI H-12 steel substrates by using plasma nitriding processoThe layers were obtained by systematic variation of the nitriding conditions, such as temperature, time and plasma frequency. The employed atmosphere consisted of a gaseous mixture of H2-20% N2, at a constant pressure of 6.0 mbar in f1ux.A detailed investigation of the nitrided layer on iron samples was performed through surface mechanical wear in successive steps. After each step the layer was analysed by Conversion Electron Mõssbauer spectroscopy (CEMS), as well as by other techniques, as X-ray diffraction, microhardness and optical and electronic metallography. The surface analysis of iron samples showed that the nitrided layers are formed bya mixture of γ-Fe4N, ε-Fe3N e-ε-Fe3,2N nitrides, whose proportions have varied with the nitriding conditions. Below this layer, different nitrides are formed, ε-FeXN (2≤X≤3,2) e α-Fe16N2. For H-12 steel substrates it was also studied the influence of direct and pulsed current on the layer. The samples were characterized related to the microhardness profile, nitrogen concentration profile, Xray diffraction and Conversion Electron and X-ray Mõssbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) and (CXMS). The near-surface compound layer, as probed by CEMS, consisted of a mixture of γ-Fe4N e ε-FeX(N, C) phases. The near-diffusion zone compound layer, as probed by CXMS presented a mixture of γ-Fe4N , e ε-FeX(N, C) Fex(N, C), α-Fe16N2e &#947 and- e &#947-austenite phases. For the plasma process, the growth of the nitride layers in direct current follows the parabolic law, what does not occur when process with pulsed current is used. This effect is probably due to cathode rate sputtering and radiation-enhanced diffusion, the latter being more accentuated in the case of pulsed current, for nitriding times t &#8249 2h. The situation is reversed for t &#8250 3h.

In fuel cells, stacks of several hundred bipolar plates are combined in membrane electrode assemblies, in which the electrochemical reactions take place. As a result, it must be possible to produce the bipolar plates cost-efficiently. In addition, the corrosion resistance in the surrounding medium and the electrical conductivity have to be sufficiently high. As stainless steels show passivation over time, more expensive materials, like graphite or noble-metal coatings, are used. This paper describes an alternative coating, which can fulfil the above-mentioned requirements. Using electroplating, Cr coatings with thicknesses > 20 µm can be deposited at low costs and REACH compliant. Subsequently, the Cr layers are gas nitrided resulting in a dense Cr-N coating with electrical and corrosion properties exceeding the ones of common stainless steels. Using this new approach, well-performing fuel cells could be produced cost-efficiently.