Surface performance of 316L austenite stainless steel after low temperature gas carburizing

A new low temperature gas carburizing process for austenitic stainless steel was presented, and surface performance of 316L austenite stainless steel carburized by the process for different carburizing time were studied. The results show that an expanded austenite layer with a depth of 15-35 μm is generated as the lattice expansion happens near the surface of the carburized specimen, and the layer shows the characteristic of high residual compressive stress, high hardness, high carbon content, good toughness and without chromium carbide precipitation, that indicates this process performs well in both surface strengthening and corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, the carburizing time has significant impact on surface strengthening effect, and the surface residual stress, hardness and carbon content of the steel increase with the carburizing time increasing.