Abstract
Microstructural changes during tempering at the temperature range of $300^{\circ}C{\sim}700^{\circ}C$ for the nitrogen-permeated STS 410 and 410L martensitic stainless steels has been investigated. After nitrogen permeation at temperature between 1050 and $1150^{\circ}C$, the surface layer appeared fine $Cr_2N$ of square and rod types in the martensite matrices. Hardness of the nitrogen-permeated surface layer represented 680Hv and 625Hv, respectively, for 410 and 410L steels. It is considered that the fine homogeneously dispersive effect of precipitates by nitrogen caused the increased hardness. Due to the counter current effect of carbon from interior to surface during nitrogen diffusion from surface to interior, the 0.1%C alloyed 410 steel showed the low nitrogen content of 0.025% compared with 0.045% of 410L steel at the distance of $100{\mu}m$ from the surface. Tempering of nitrogen-alloyed 410 and 410L showed the maximum hardness at $450^{\circ}C$. This maximum hardness was considered to be the secondary hardening effect of very fine carbide and nitride. The decrease in hardness at $700^{\circ}C$ was the softening effect of the matrix due to the precipitation of many needle-shaped $Cr_2N$ for 410 steel and the precipitation of coarse nitride of $Cr_2N$ in line with the spherical precipitates with directionality for 410L steel. For 410 steel, the corrosion resistance of nitrogen permeated surface in the solution of 1 N $H_2SO_4$ were nearly unchanged, however the superior corrosion resistance was obtained for nitrogen permeated 410L steel compared to the solution annealed condition.
