Electrochemical and surface modifications on N+-ion-implanted 316 L stainless steel.

The effect of nitrogen-ion implantation on the electrochemical behaviour of 316 L stainless steel in a simulated physiological solution (HBSS-Hank's Balanced Salt Solution) was studied by open-circuit potential versus time and cyclic polarization techniques, with the aim of characterizing the surfaces and choosing the best nitrogen-ion fluence. Three fluences (10(15), 10(16) and 10(17) ions/cm2) were used. The 10(16) ions/cm2 N+ fluence improves the corrosion resistance of the 316 L stainless steel.