Plasma nitriding at 500 °C for 14 h was applied to austenitic 304 stainless steel for surface hardening. The effect of surface treatment on the corrosion resistance of the material was investigated in naturally-aerated 0.5 M NaCl solution for 30 days using linear potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. Both as-cast and plasma nitrided stainless steel samples underwent spontaneous passivation, though the nitrided sample exhibited more positive zero current potential, higher breakdown potential, and lower anodic current densities than the as-cast material. Impedance spectra were interpreted in terms of a duplex passive film, corrosion resistance mainly arising from a thin inner compact layer, whereas the outer layer was more porous and less sealing. Capacitive behaviour and high corrosion resistance were observed in the low and medium frequency ranges for the nitrided samples
