[en] EN10090 X50 steel is commonly used for engine valves to withstand severe operation conditions involving high temperature and corrosion from fuel and combustion gas. Usually, to enhance wear performance, valves undergo nitriding thermochemical treatment by salt baths. The aim of this work is to produce diffusion layers at least 20μm thick with hardness higher than 700HV by plasma surface treatment with no continuous compounds layer using nitrogen and methane based atmospheres. Samples were characterized by laser Confocal and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Vickers hardness. Salt bath treatment induced formation of undesirable compounds layer at the surface and a diffusion layer thicker than 40μm, with hardness arising 1280HV_0_,_0_1_0. Plasma surface treatment produced diffusion layer thicker than 40μm with no continuous compounds layer and mean hardness varying from 750 to 960HV_0_,_0_1_0. (author)