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As stated, the main benefit of using stainless steels and similar austenitic materials is their high corrosive resistant properties. However the poor tribological properties exhibited by these chromium rich materials often limit the range of applications, particularly in the case of industrial use.

 

The case hardening mechanism that is carburisation can act to somewhat overcome these limiting factors, meaning that further studies and investment into S-phase formation is seen to be extremely worthwhile.

 

One of the main current applications of case hardened stainless steels is within the nuclear industry. The material of choice for the manufacturing of parts such as control rods is austenitic stainless steels. These control rod clusters are inserted into the core of the reactor whilst maintaining contact with their guiding rods. Therefore these components not only experience constant wear cycles due to the insertion process, but are also subject to vibrations induced by hydraulic flow. The use of case hardened austenitic stainless steels can significantly increase the life span of these parts, thus reducing the repair and maintenance time of the reactor.

 

Another industry which choses to use austenitic stainless steels to increase the life cycle of their components is the chemical industry, ranging from chemical food processing plants, to complex pharmaceutical and petrochemical plants. These industries often use austenitic stainless steels to manufacture tube fittings and fasteners. It is necessary for these parts to exhibit toughness, hardness, corrosion resistance and resistance to galling, all of which are features of stainless steels with an expanded austenite microstructure.

 

Miscellaneous uses for austenitic stainless steels are extremely varied. These uses range from watch casings and links, chosen for their aesthetic, scratch resistance properties, to piston rings in the automobile industry.

Some more modern uses for case hardened, austenitic materials is in the maritime industry where corrosion resistance is a premium concern, and also in the biomedical industry where the improved wear resistance of expanded austenitic materials make them a suitable candidate to be used in the creation of prosthetics.