Efecto de la modificación superficial de alambres delgados de acero inoxidable AISI 302 mediante plasma electrolítico sobre sus propiedades mecánicas

In this work different tests using electrolytic plasma (EP) on thin wires of stainless steel AISI 302 in an inert solution were performed. Tensile tests were carried out in order to measure changes in the mechanical strength of the samples; moreover, both the morphological and microstructural changes also were evaluated. It was found that after 10 s of the application of EP, the samples surface was uniformly covered by nodules-like and craters similar to those found in the melting and cooling periods of EP. The results show a significant surface grain refinement, leading to crystalline arrangements with sizes less than 200 nm and also an increase in the samples tensile strength of at least 57 % respect to steel base.