ABSTRACT
In this study, a pretreatment of sand blasting (SB) was carried out prior to plasma nitriding to enhance the nitriding efficiency and improve the wear resistance for 304 austenitic stainless steel. The surface morphology, microstructure, phase constituents and wear resistance were systematically investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, Vickers hardness tester, X-ray diffraction and pin-on-disk tribotester, etc. The results showed that SB had significant enhancement effect on nitriding efficiency and wear resistance. Meanwhile, the enhancement effect is duration dependent; the optimal wear resistance is obtained at SB duration of 15 min, which is mainly ascribed to the excellent protection from the thicker and denser compound layer.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Dong Li is now a third-year graduate student studying at Changzhou University.
Jiqiang Wu studied at Changzhou University once, and now he is a employee at Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation Kingdream Public Limited Company.
Bin Miao finished his mater degree at Changzhou University two years ago, and now he is a 2nd year Ph.D candidate studying at Harbin Institute of Technology.
Xiaobing Zhao is a professor who is teaching at Changzhou University now.
Changjun Mao is a 2nd-year master student studying at Changzhou University.
Wei Wei is a professor who is teaching at Changzhou University now, and he is the vice-dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering.
Jing Hu is a professor who is teaching at Changzhou University now, and she was the vice-dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering once, and her expertise area is surface modification.