Preparation of titanizing coating on AISI 316 stainless steel by pack cementation to mitigate surface damage: Estimations of corrosion resistance and tribological behavior

Abstract In this study, a titanizing coating was prepared on AISI 316 stainless steel (316 SS) using the pack cementation technique at 1173 K for 6 h. The microstructural characteristics and surface hardness of the titanizing coating were systematically analyzed. The bonding strength between the titanizing coating and the 316 SS substrate was also measured. Comparative assessments of the corrosion resistance and tribological behavior of the titanizing coating and 316 SS were conducted. The results showed that the coating was compact and uniform, and it reached a thickness of 5 μm. The concentration of Ti exhibited a gradient distribution along the titanizing coating. Titanizing enhanced the surface hardness of the 316 SS and the coating obtained was strongly bonded with the 316 SS substrate. As expected, the titanizing coating exhibited better anti-corrosion properties than the bare 316 SS. The titanizing coating also provided considerable protection to the 316 SS in friction-wearing tests. The excellent anti-corrosion and wear resistance properties of the titanizing coating were due to its high chemical stability, hardness, and bonding strength. The titanizing treatment may allow the production of a working surface on 316 SS with improved anti-corrosion and wear resistance properties.