Application of ion implantation in metals and alloys

Conference · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5559164

Dearnaley, G

Ion implantation first became established as a precise method of introducing dopant elements into semiconductors. It is now appreciated that there may be equally important applications in metallic tools or components with the purpose of improving their resistance to wear, fatigue or corrosion. Nitrogen ions implanted into steels pin dislocations and thereby harden the metal. Some metallic ions such as yttrium reduce the tendency for oxidative wear. There is a fairly good understanding of how both treatments can provide a long-lasting protection that extends to many times the original depth of implantation. Nitrogen implantation also improves the wear resistance of Co-cemented tungsten carbide and of hard chromium electroplated coatings. These treatments have wide application in press tools, molds, dies and other metal-forming tools as well as in a more limited variety of cutting tools. Some striking improvements can be achieved in the corrosion field, but there are economic and technical reasons for concluding that practical applications of ion implantation will be more restricted and specialized in this area. The most promising area is that in which mechanical stress and oxidation coexist. When a metallic species has to be introduced, a promising new development is to bombard a thin coating of the metal at an elevated temperature. Several powerful mechanisms of radiation-enhanced diffusion can bring about a complete intermixing. Examples of how this has been used to produce wear resistant surfaces in titanium are given. Finally, the equipment developed for the large scale application of the ion implantation process in the engineering field is described.

• Research Organization: AERE Harwell, OX11 ORA
• OSTI ID: 5559164
• Report Number(s): CONF-801111-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States) Journal Volume: NS-28:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360106* -- Metals & Alloys-- Radiation Effects
ALLOYS
CHARGED PARTICLES
COATINGS
CORROSION RESISTANCE
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FATIGUE
HARDENING
ION IMPLANTATION
IONS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALLURGY
METALS
NITROGEN IONS
SURFACE HARDENING
SURFACE TREATMENTS
WEAR RESISTANCE