ELECTROCHEMICAL ASSISTED PLASMA PROCESSING FOR ADVANCED MATERIALS
V. A. ANDREI, C. DIACONU, G. ONCIOIU, M. FULGER, O. RUSU, E. COACA, C. DUCU, V. MALINOVSKI

Abstract. Complex surface structures were developed on stainless steels used as structural nuclear materials, by various Plasma processing methods which include:
- Electrochemical assisted Plasma Processing (PE): the steel substrates were modified by nitruring and nitro-carburising plasma diffusion treatments;
- Carbonic films electrodeposition.
The processes and structures obtained in various experimental conditions were characterized by correlation of the results of the complementary techniques: XPS, “depth profiling”, XRD, LAXRD and EIS. The corrosion behaviour was studied by electrochemical techniques, and was correlated to the microstructure and the composition of the surface layers which are strongly depending of the electrical parameters. An overall description of the processes involved in the surface properties improvement is presented.