The Effects of Low Temperature Carbon Diffusion on Stainless Steel

Stainless steels along with Nickel based alloys are often selected for many applications in corrosive environments. While resistance to corrosion makes them a favorable choice, poor tribological behavior may prevent a broader use of these materials. The Kolsterising® process is a proven method for the surface hardening of these materials by the diffusion of carbon. This paper intends to highlight the improvements typically seen in key mechanical properties including resistance to galling, wear resistance, and fatigue life. Untypically, due to the nature of the process, these properties are generally improved without the usual associated reduction in corrosion resistance. Property improvements will be demonstrated using both new and existing data from Europe and North America.