Improvement of mechanical properties and fatigue life of stainless steel 316L in 0,9 % NaCl environment by applying shot peening and plasma nitriding treatments

Abstract

Among metallic biomaterials, AISI 316L has the cheapest price yet but the lowest mechanical properties and it is prone to corrosion. Bone plate failure is often triggered by dynamics load, crevice or pitting corrosion, or a combination of fatigue and crevice or pitting corrosion attack at the same time. Shot peening and plasma nitriding are surface treatments that enhance material properties. This work examined the shot peening duration effects and plasma nitriding on surface to the depth hardness, roughness, droplet contact angle, and fatigue life in environment containing rich chloride ions. The results revealed that shot peening and plasma nitriding improved both surface layer roughness and hardness. Furthermore, shot peening and plasma nitriding reduced droplet contact angle and enhanced the fatigue life of the material.

Keywords

• steel 316L
• shot peening duration
• plasma nitriding
• fatigue life
• droplet contact angle