The depth dependence of elemental composition, phase distribution, and cross-sectional morphology of rf plasma nitrocarburized 304 austenitic stainless steel were investigated using glow discharge optical spectroscopy (GDOS), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), and optical microscopy, respectively. A step-wise mechanical polishing method was used to remove successive sublayers of the treated surface. It was found that the properties of the nitrocarburized ... Read more