Effect of low-temperature plasma carbonitriding on the fretting behaviour of 316LVM medical grade austenitic stainless steels

► The optimized low-temperature plasma surface treatment can produce a S-phase layer. ► Such layer revealed a hardness of 5 times that of 316LVM substrate. ► The formation of S-phase can protect the 316LVM from corrosion in the Ringer's solution. ► The hard surface-treated layer can improve the fretting wear resistance of 316LVM material.