Hemocompatibility evaluation of plasma-nitrided austenitic stainless steels at low temperature

In this study, plasma-nitrided austenitic stainless steel was prepared using a microwave system as a function of the nitriding duration. The nitride layers were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and a Vickers micro-hardness tester. The effects of plasma nitriding on the compatibility of blood with the austenitic stainless steel were also investigated. Based on the XRD and TEM observations, it was inferred that only a single γN phase was detected in the whole process of experiments. The γN layer, which was formed on austenitic stainless steel, exhibited lower platelet adhesion and activation than the untreated specimens. The clotting time of the PN specimens was prolonged and increased with the treatment time. This work suggested that the blood-compatible manner of plasma nitriding by controlling surface characteristic on austenitic stainless steel improved the anticoagulant properties, and made austenitic stainless steel suitable candidates in the field of surgical and medical instruments.