In this study, the behaviorof ion nitriding of AISI 304 stainless steel was investigated using plasma ion nitriding system. The characteristics of ion nitriding, and their micsoctrucyures, and physical properties were investigated as a function of process parmeteds. important conclusions can be summarzied as follows. Firstly, it was found that growth of nitride layer in ion nitriding are mainly affected by N2 partial pressures and nitriding temperatures for AISI 304 stainless steel. The $N_2$< partial pressure plays on important role in ion nitriding since it determiness the incoming flux of nitrogen species onto specimen surface. Nitriding thmprrature is also important besauseit determines the diffusion rates of nitrogen through nitride layers. While both parameters affects the characteristics rateding are controlled by nitridingen diffusion nitration profiles of N and alloying elements such as Cr and Ni are observed through niride layers. Secondly, nitride layer consists of the upper white laywe having various nitride phases and the underneath diffusion layers. The thickness of white layer increases with $N_2$<TEX> partial pressures and nitriding temperatures. The thinkness of diffusion layer is increasting nitriding temperatures. Finally, nitriding of stainless steels steel show slighly low their corrsionce prorerties. However, passivation properties, which is normally observed in stainless steels, were still observed aftre ion nitriding.