Fretting corrosion behaviour of 316L stainless steel before and after plasma carburization in different corrosive-lubricating solutions

Abstract

The fretting corrosion characteristics of 316L and the plasma carburized layer (PCL) in various corrosive-lubricating solutions were investigated. In neutral solution and distilled water, both 316L and PCL exhibited fatigue peeling and adhesive wear, with material loss primarily driven by mechanical action and minimal corrosion-wear interaction. Exposure to seawater and acid rain resulted in adhesive wear, corrosive wear, and fatigue peeling for 316L. PCL showed adhesive wear and corrosive wear. The material loss resulted from both mechanical action and corrosive-wear interaction. Reactive ions exacerbated the corrosive-wear interaction, increased wear amount, and reduced friction coefficient. The frictional energy dissipation coefficient, wear rate, and depth of PCL were relatively low. PCL improved the corrosion-wear resistance and stability of 316L, offering effective protection.