The effect of applied compressive stress on the diffusion of carbon in carbon supersaturated S-phase layer

In this study, hydrostatic compressive stresses are applied on the prior-carburized samples of 316 ASS to discover the relationship between interstitial diffusion process and the applied stresses. Carbon diffusion profiles are compared and concentration dependent diffusion coefficients are discussed to further advance scientific understanding of diffusion process in supersaturated S-phase. The experimental results demonstrate that the applied compressive stress can retard the fast diffusion process comparing to the unstressed one. Based on theoretical modelling, the effect of the applied hydrostatic compressive stresses on the diffusion of carbon in carbon supersaturated 316 austenitic stainless steel is discussed.