Effect of Nickel Coating on Fatigue Resistance of Carburized AISI 301 Stainless Steel

Abstract

The present research deals with the study of the effect of Nickel Coating on the fatigue resistance of carburized and uncarburized AISI 301 stainless steel. Six groups of bending fatigue specimens were prepared for fatigue test.Two groups of the carburized specimens were precoated with Nickel. The Nickel coated specimens were then case carburized at a temperature of (540°C) for 90 minute. The other Nickel coated specimens were then case carburized at a temperature of (950°C) for 120 minute.Experimental results revealed an increase in fatigue resistance by (25%) for Nickel coated specimens which are carburized at low temperature of (540°C) as compared with the as received specimens.The surface hardness was increased by 79.4% for those specimens that have been carburized at a temperature of (540°C), while the specimens that have been coated by Nickel then carburized at low temperature of (540°C) showed a 34.3% increase in surface hardness.