The application of cathode sputtering to austenitic steel enable to gas nitriding of this material by removing of protective layer of chromium oxides. But beside of this activating influence the additional effect is observed. Depending on the sputtering parameters the various composition of the nitrided layer after gas nitriding can be obtained in the same condition of gas nitriding. The author presents results of her investigation on influence of low temperature plasma on upper surface of austenitic steel. Plasma was made as a result of glow discharge with voltage 900-1800 V in nitrogen, argon and hydrogen atmosphere. The ion density was 0.7-5 mA/cm².
The investigations include the microstructural and phase evaluation of the uppers surface after treatment. It was stated that depending on the plasma characteristic some physical changes in the surface layer can occur till the depth of ca 0.5 microns.

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2. Investigation of mechanical properties of thin nitrided layers produced on stainless steel