Concentration dependent nitrogen diffusion coefficient in expanded austenite formed by ion implantation

Expanded austenite, formed after nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation or low energy nitriding of austenitic stainless, is characterized by a high nitrogen content C-N of up to 20 at. % and an unusual fast diffusion, which in general cannot be described using a single diffusion coefficient. Here, the concentration dependent diffusivity is calculated for several experimental parameters and steel alloys. Two mathematical simplifications of the general diffusion theory, well justified for physical reasons, helped in solving the equations. First, a constant surface concentration was assumed, despite a constant nitrogen flux into the surface, and, second, only mobile nitrogen atoms in a stationary steel matrix were considered. Thus, it was possible to solve the Boltzmann-Matano equation and obtain the concentration dependent diffusion coefficient D(C-N). In all cases, a step-like behavior, with a high value for high nitrogen contents and a low value for low ones, is found, with the transition point between a nitrogen concentration of 5 and 17 at. %, depending on the sample. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.